Month: September 2025

GENESIS 18:27

Intro:

Self-esteem is rarely found in the heart of a true man of God, for the more virtuous a saint becomes, the less satisfied he will be with himself.

Increasing love for God means increasing hatred of the self-life.

The Bible has many examples of this fact.

Abraham. “I am but dust and ashes “-Genesis 18: 27.

Abraham was the friend of God, and the greatest character in the ancient world.

Divine secrets were shared with the illustrious patriarch, and in a sense unknown by ordinary men, he walked with God.

Yet Abraham despised himself and became increasingly conscious of his shortcomings.

He considered himself unworthy to commune with God and said he was dust and ashes.

Job. ” Behold, I am vile “-Job 40:4.

We are left in no doubt as to the true greatness of this man.

It is recorded that the Lord said of him ” … there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil ” (Job 1: 8).

When Job’s friends declared him to be a hypocrite ; that secret sin had brought about his misfortunes, he maintained that his heart was clean before God.

Yet when he came face to face with his Maker, he whispered,“I am vile.”

David.”Behold, I was shapen in iniquity “-Psalm 51: 5.

The sweet psalmist of Israel was a man after God’s own heart, and although certain indiscretions marred his fine record of devotion, his integrity and true consecration were always beyond question.

Yet this great man sadly shook his head and denied his own virtue.

Psalm 51 is a heart-throb in which we hear tears of anguish, cries of disappointment, and the moan of a man who feels that he is a complete failure.

Ezra.” I blush to lift up my face “-Ezra 9: 6.

Ezra was one of the greatest men of his day.

He held an honorable place among the spiritual aristocracy of the nation.

His courageous example at a time when Israel needed spiritual leadership, lifted the nation to new heights of achievement.

He and Nehemiah were the greatest men of that generation; yet Ezra’s confession claimed his unworthiness to God.

He said,” O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face.”

Isaiah. ” … I am undone … I am a man of unclean lips” – Isaiah 6:5.

Isaiah was one of the Major Prophets, who gave counsel and guidance to a stumbling nation and at the same time provided unerring information concerning the coming of the Messiah.

He was a friend of the king, a father to the nation, and a trusted servant of the Most High ; yet of himself he had nothing good to say.

Simon Peter. “I am a sinful man” – Luke 5:8

There is something delightfully human about Simon Peter, for at all times he was unquestionably honest.

Sometimes strong emotions and fierce temptations upset his equilibrium; but within minutes, the real man appeared again.

He was a great man, an excellent preacher, and a brother beloved.

Yet all who read the New Testament realize how very much Peter abhorred himself.

The Centurion. “I am not worthy “-Luke 7:6.

This Gentile soldier won a place among the great immortals, for his spiritual perception enabled Christ to say, “ I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.”

Although he was an officer in Caesar’s army, and occupied a position of importance, he felt that his home was unworthy of a visit from the Carpenter of Nazareth.

Paul. “I am the chief of sinners “-I Timothy 1:15.

Paul was undoubtedly the greatest of all Christian missionaries.

He was the first to look beyond the narrow bounds of Israel’s horizons, and with determination of purpose to penetrate into the unknown.

His indomitable spirit and untiring energy took the Gospel to millions of heathen, and with God’s help he established the Christian Church.

Yet Paul claimed to be the greatest sinner in the world.

Conclusion:

God has strange ways of estimating the greatness of men.

Sometimes the first are last, and the last first.

Those who are great in their own estimation are far from the will of God, while others who are overwhelmed by a sense of unworthiness are ready for the Master’s use.

Although, these men saw themselves unworthy before God saw them vessels to be used unto honor.

Each one these men because they humble themselves under the might hand of God, God exalted them and was able to use them in a mighty way for His honor and glory.

Because these men were humble God gave them the grace they needed to accomplished things they need for Him.

• Text:         Hebrews 10:23-25
• Intro:
  • Christians often say, “Why does the preacher, preach so much about being in church?”
  • Well, one of the reason is because Christians are not in church like the Lord would have them to be.
    • Notice, I said, “The Lords wants the Christian to be in church.”
    • But, the way Christians talk, you would think that the preacher was picking on them and being in church was a requirement of the preacher and not the Lord.
  • What I want us to look at is why “the assembling of ourselves together” is so important.
• We want to notice what it shows.
• I.    “the assembling of ourselves together” shows “COMMITMENT”.
  • V23 – “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering.”
    • “hold fast” means to keep sure.
    When we go to church we show commitment.
    • When your neighbors see you leave out the house with a Bible tucked under your arm on Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night, you are giving a testimony of commitment!!!!When folks know enough not to try to reach you by telephone during these times, it shows commitment.When you do this week in, week out, month in, month out, year in, year out, you show a testimony of “commitment”.
    Folks see that what you are committed to is not some fad or craze, or just a stage of life you are going through.
    • You show a commitment. A commitment to the cause of Christ.
    A commitment to a faith that says –
    • Ro. 10:13 – “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
    A commitment to a faith that says –
    • 1 John 5:13 – “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the son of God.”
    A commitment to a faith that says –
    • John 3:36 – “…he that believeth not the son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”
    A commitment to a faith that says –
    • Rev. 20:15 – “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
    “the assembling of ourselves together” shows “COMMITMENT” – it shows we mean business for God!!!The Bible says in I Cor. 8:3 – “But if any man love God, the same is known of him”
    • Going to church shows outwardly to others that you love God.
    Christians show their commitment for God by assembling together.
    • The Christian’s lack of commitment is evidenced by what it takes to keep them in church.
      • Special activities and fellowships.
      In other words, something to satisfy the old vile and wicked flesh.Often times a Christian won’t come out to church unless they are going to get something.
      • Example – “full belly”- fellowship dinner.Have a fellowship and you will see folks that you haven’t seen for the last year, Amen!!
      Entertainment by preachers who tell lots of funny stories and does very little Bible preaching.We see everything in our churches today from clowns, puppets, magicians to tootsie rolls and ice cream sundaes to get people in church.
  • The problem today is Christians are more committed to their hobbies, jobs, families, friends, sports, TV, soap operas – then they are to Christ.
• So, the assembling of ourselves together shows, “COMMITMENT”.
• II.   “the assembling of ourselves together” shows – “CONSIDERATION”
  • Vs. 24 – “And let us consider one another.”We live in a day and an age that lacks good old fashion consideration.Very few today, consider anymore how their actions is going to effect the other person.The Bible tells us “one sinner destroyeth much good”
    • This unfortunately includes Christians who do not consider how not being in church effects their brothers and sisters in Christ.
    -How their not being in church would be a stumbling block to a newly saved Christian.
    • The Bible says –
      • Romans 14:13, “…but judge this rather that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.”I Cor. 12:26 – “And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.”-Romans 14:7 – “For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.”
    Christian, we have to realize how we live our life effects others.
    • We must be aware of our sphere of influence.”the assembling of ourselves together” shows – “CONSIDERATION”.
  • The next time the devil works on you and tries to keep you out of church.
    • Consider the effect of you not being there on the brethen.
• So, the assembling of ourselves together shows, “CONSIDERATION”.
• III.  “the assembly of ourselves together” shows – “CONCERN”
  • Vs. 24 – “to provoke unto love”

-When we go church we show concern or love for one another.

-At church, especially on Wednesday Night, Prayer Service, we get to hear the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

-One of the purposes of prayer service is so we can come together and

show concern and comfort the brethen who may be burden.

-So, we can agonize and intercede in prayer for them.

-Maybe a brother or sister’s need comes known and leads you to help that brother or sister anonymously through the church.

-1 John 4:21 – “And the commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.”

-We should look forward to coming to church to find out what our brothers and sisters concerns and cares are.

-“the assembling of ourselves together” shows not only concern but is also a catalyst for that concern or love.

-Vs. 24 says – “provoke unto love” – or to excite unto love.

-In other words,”the assembling of ourselves together” is like lighting a fire underneath a brother or sister.

-You see the average Christian spends most of his time in the world and involved with the things of the world.

-Some of this involvement is necessary – i.e. our jobs.

-Alot of it unnecessarily – i.e. TV, socializing with the unsaved, etc.

-What happens is the Christian’s love for Christ and the things of Christ grows cold.

-The ember taken from the fire soon goes out and grows cold.

-The Christ grows cold in his prayer life. Bible reading and study.

-He grows cold in his burden for the lost, which is evidenced by his lack of witnessing.

-So, When we assemble together – it provokes us unto love – concern for the things of the Lord.

-The once dying ember, reunited with fire (church members) becomes a blaze again!!!

IV.       “the assembling of ourselves together” shows – “CONSECRATION”

-Vs. 24 – “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works” – “and to good works”

-“consecration” – means to set apart as holy.

-The Lord did not save you so you could continue in sin and live for the world, the flesh, and the devil.

-Romans 6:15 – “What then? shall we sin because we are not under the law; but under grace. God forbid.”

-Most Christians are familiar with Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

-But Christian often forget why they were born of God, or born-again for.

-Ephesians 2:10, reminds us – “For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

-We are set apart after we are saved unto good works.

-Why?

-Matthew 5:16 – Tells us so God will be glorified!!!

“Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

-Paul, the Apostle knew of the importance of good works in a Christian’s life.

-In Colossians 1:10, Paul prayed the Colossians would be “fruitful in every good work”

-Paul tells us in Titus 2:7, that the Christian in all things is to show himself “a pattern of good works.”

-A pattern is something to follow.

-Like ladies follow a pattern in making dresses.

-Paul lists some things that this includes – See Titus 2:7-8.

-The reason that the Christian is to show a pattern of good works in all things is so that no one contrary to them (unsaved) can have cause to say an evil thing about them.

-Paul continues in Titus 2:14, that our Saviour Jesus Christ redeems us from all iniquity and purify unto himself a peculiar people, (the reason for this – so we would be) “zealous of good works”

-James reinforces this in James 2:17-18 – Read.

-Since only the Lord can see a person’s heart, good works show outwardly to man that a person has placed faith in Jesus Christ for salvation.

-So, “the assembling of ourselves together” shows – “CONSECRATION”.

-The Lord has set us apart as holy “unto good works”

V.        “the assembling of ourselves together” shows – “COMMUNION” or Fellowship.

*Communion with the Saviour

-Matthew 18:20 – “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

-When we assembly ourselves together – it is centered around the Lord, Jesus Christ.

-There should be a difference is us, after we have been in church.

-We should be changed from when we first entered the doors.

-The reason is we have been in communion and fellowship with the Lord.

-We have had some of the world knocked out of us through the preaching and the teaching of the word of God.

-We have had some of the world knocked out of us because while in church we have been “speaking to ourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in our heart to the Lord” (Eph. 5:19).

-We have the testimony-because we have been in communion with the Lord.

-People should be able to observe you and say, “that you have been with Jesus.”

*Communion with the Saints

-When we assemble together, it shows not only communion with the Saviour but also communion/fellowship with the Saints of God around the Saviour.

-This is evidenced in the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper’s (1 Cor. 10:16).

-You see we come together because we have something in common.

-We are sons of God through faith the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

-Every time we come together it is in essence a family reunion.

-We have fellowship through the blood of Jesus Christ.

-We are told in 1 John 1:7.

-So, “the assembling of ourselves together” shows – “COMMUNION”

VI.       “the assembling of ourselves together” shows – “COMMUNICATION”

-Vs 25. “exhorting one another”

-When we go to church we show communication through exhortation.

-Exhort has several meanings.

-“Urge strongly” – You know sometimes you and I need a push or a nudge to serve God and be involved in the things of the God.

-When we go to church and assemble together it is a time when we communicate.

-When we get a push or a nudge from a brother or sister in Christ or the pastor to serve God to do more for God.

-Exhort – also means “Propel”.

-You know a bullet is useless unless it has gun powder to propel it toward its intended target.

-Sometimes we need to be that gun powder in another Christian’s life to propel him toward the intended target, “serving God”, “Going on for God”, “Not Giving Up or Quitting”.

-When we assemble together, we need to exhort one another or communicate with one another in the spirit of love.

-Sometimes we have to be spiritual cheerleaders for one another.

-Exhorting one another as we run the race that is set before us.

-Sometimes that exhortation takes on the form of a warning or advice, or an urgent appeal.

-What a better place to get exhortation but in church through the preaching of the word of God or counsel from the Pastor or through your brothers and sisters in Christ.

-So, “the assembling of ourselves together” shows – “COMMUNICATION”.

VII.      Lastly -“the assembling of ourselves together” shows a “CALLING-OUT”.

-Vs. 25 – “and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching”

-“the day approaching” – The Lord’s return, – The Rapture.

-“Church” means – called-out assembly.

-When we assemble together and meet, in a sense we are “called-out” of the world here on earth.

-When you were saved, you were “called-out” from the bondage and wages of sin.

-When we go to church we show the next prophetic event on God’s calendar, the rapture of the body of Christ, the church made up of all believers in Jesus Christ.

-Where we will be literally taken out of this world from the grave if died in Christ before his return or alive at his return.

-See 1 Thess. 4:13-18.

-We are listening for the shout to us up and out!!!!!!!!

-We have seen why the “the assembling of ourselves together” is so important.

-It shows – COMMITMENT-CONSIDERATION-CONCERN-CONSECRATION-COMMUNION-COMMUNICATION-CALLING OUT.

SAUL – A MAN WHOM JEALOUSY AND PRIDE DESTROYED

SCRIPTURE: I Samuel 9-31

INTRODUCTION: Saul, Israel’s first king, is one of the most pathetic men in the Word of God. Few, if any, men of the Bible had such opportunity to make a success of life, and none ever messed it up so. Saul not only missed great opportunities to be used of God, he deliberately abused them. His sun rose in bright and splendid anticipation, but set in a tragic night of failure and despair. The downward slide of his life is the old familiar story of pride, self-will, and self-sufficiency that lead to moral and spiritual destruction. Let us consider and learn from Saul’s steps down the ladder,

HE WAS A MAN ANOINTED WITH THE SPIRIT- I Sam 11:6-12

Samuel was directed of God to anoint Saul as the new (and first) king of Israel. Note that he prophesied that the Spirit would come upon Saul, and that he would be turned into another man – v 6. This came to pass just as Samuel promised, and with the Spirit upon him, Saul prophesied among a company of the prophets. What a wonderful experience! This reminds us that we must have the power of the Holy Spirit upon us to energize and direct our service for God.

AT FIRST, SAUL WAS HUMBLE AND PRACTICED SELF-CONTROL – I Sam 10:22,27; 11:3Even though a man of great physical stature, Saul was naturally shy and unassuming.

His humility was sincere and refreshing in a ruler. God is pleased with the humble but will bring down the proud. (Teachers: find and share some Scriptures with your students about humility and pride–James and Proverbs would be good places to look. Jesus also addressed this in His teaching, e.g., Luke 14:7-11.)

BUT SELF-WILL SOON SURFACED-I Sam 13:7-13

Saul had only reigned for two years when self-will began to surface in his life. It seems that his promotion from donkey-finder to king sort of “went to his head.” How true it is that success and honor are more difficult for most men to handle than opposition, hardship, and even failure! We have here a bashful, “good ole country boy” who is now the king of a great nation. Under stress, he soon steps over his bounds and presumes to offer a burnt offering to the Lord. (He was intruding into the office of the priest!) After this incident, Samuel announces the divine rejection of Saul.

SAUL THEN BECAME DISOBEDIENT TO THE DIRECT COMMAND OF GOD-   Sam 15

Notice the downward progression: self-will led to out-and-out disobedience. (But it did not have to be this way–consider the mercy of God upon one of the most wicked  men who ever lived: I Kings 21 :25-29!) But the underlying weakness of Saul’s character begins to show as he attempts to shift the blame for his disobedience to others.

JEALOUSY PROMPTED SAUL TO HUNT & HARM DAVID – I Sam. 18:8, 19:1

We marvel at the progressive hardening of Saul and his steadily worsening spiritual condition. How could someone who started so well descend to such a malicious state?! But remember the words of 15:22-23 — once a rebellious attitude begins to grip a person, he will be open to all manner of gross sin. None is more destructive than the green-eyed monster of jealousy.

HE EVEN CONSORTED WITH A WITCH – I Sam. 28:7

There has been an alarming increase in occult activity of all kinds in recent years, and many are taken up with board games, horoscopes, palm. readers, and other forms of prognostication. NOTE: any desire to know about the future, other than what God has revealed in His Word, is both unholy and unwholesome.

WOUNDED IN BATTLE, SAUL ENDED HIS LIFE AS A SUICIDE! – I Sam 31:4

Having already come to moral and spiritual ruin, Saul finally destroyed his physical life. Two verses come to mind: Num 32:23; Gal 6:7. Unless the cancer of sin is excised from one’s life, it will, sooner or later, result in destruction. The sad truth is that Saul’s tragic story of defeat by sin is being repeated in countless lives today!

LESSONS FROM SAUL’S LIFE

• Partial obedience is, in fact, DISobedience

• Each person must take responsibility for his own actions. We have a society overrun today with people like Saul–no matter what the situation, they always find someone else to blame. Paul reminds us (Rom 14:12) “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”

Unless the “root of bitterness” is properly dealt with, it will lead to trouble and defilement — See Heb 12:14-16.

The destructive and certain effects of sin. Someone has aptly observed:

“Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.” (A classic example of this little axiom is found in the life of Lot.)

SAMSON – THE MAN OF CONTRASTS

SCRIPTURE: Judges 13, 14, 15, 16

INTRODUCTION: SAMSON was one of the most renowned, and no doubt the most amazing, of the Hebrew judges. He was a Danite, son of Manoah, and judged Israel for twenty years.

Endowed with supernatural strength, he killed a lion with his bare hands, thirty Philistines, and then 1,000 men with the jawbone of an ass! He broke the strongest bands, carried off the gates of Gaza, and pulled down the temple of Dagon! The latter was his greatest feat (at least three thousand were slain in the crumbling ruins) but it resulted in his own death – see16:30.

Samson was unconquerable (in spite of his carnal appetite) as long as he remained a Nazarite. He was the only one of the judges who worked single-handedly. Samson never called the armies of Israel together; he asked no assistance. His total ministry was done alone in his God-given, unconquerable strength.

His life was one of striking contrasts. Let us consider these:

1. He was separated as a Nazarite (Judges 13:5) …

YET he dabbled with evil associations (14:1-3, 10-11, 16:1).

2. He was occasionally Spirit-endued (13:25, 14:6, 15:14) …

YET he yielded to carnal appetites (16:1-4).

3. He was mighty in physical strength (15:15, 16:3, 9, 12, 14) …

YET he was weak in resisting temptation (16:15-17).

4. He had a noble beginning (13:24-25) …

BUT he came to a sad end (16:30).

The deadly results of Samson’s self-indulgence and the final breaking of his Nazarite vow are seen in order in the narrative:

1. Self-confidence – “I will go out” – 16:20

2. Self-ignorance – “He wist not” – 16:20

3. Self-weakness – “The Philistines laid hold on him” – 16:21

4. Self-darkness – “They put out his eyes” – 16:21

5. Self-degradation – “They brought him down to Gaza – 16:21

6. Self-bondage – “They bound him with fetters” – 16:21

7. Self-drudgery – “He did grind in the prison house” – 16:21

8. Self-humiliation – “Call for Samson, that he may make us sport” – 16:25, 27

LESSONS FROM SAMSON’S LIFE:

1. The evils of mixed (SAVED/LOST, SPIRITUAL/CARNAL) marriages – chap 14, 15:1-6. [In the Teen and Singles classes, here is a good opportunity to discuss the importance of finding the right mate of God’s choosing from the right religious background and family life. Compatibility in spiritual matters should have top priority.

2. The tragic effects of playing with sexual temptations.

3. The tragedy of unfulfilled potential. In spite of his unlimited physical strength and his ability to slaughter the Philistines at will, Samson is the only judge who did not set Israel free from the oppressing enemy. And the reason Samson never fully conquered the Philistines was because he never conquered himselt1

4. Sin always brings judgment – James 1 :13-15; Num 32:23.

5. One of the most significant lessons: When Christians sin openly, it brings reproach on the name of God – 16:23-24. The celebrating Philistines praised their gods saying, “Our god hath delivered into our hands our enemy … ” Oh NO! NO! It was not the lifeless, impotent image of Dagon that delivered Samson into the hands of the Philistines–it was his own sins!!! Cf. 1 Sam 31 :8-10. Nathan told David that because of his deeds (in the matter of Bathsheba and Uriah) he had “given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme … “