Author: GinoCascieri

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” Ephesians 4:11-12

In Ephesians 4:11, the words of God state clearly that the Lord Jesus Christ gave His church, the body of Christ specific individual positions to be filled by persons God has called, enabled, and equipped with the spiritual abilities to fulfill and perform the functions required by each position. In Ephesians 4:12, the words of God provides the purpose for why the Lord gave His church these individual positions.

The reason that I have entitled my post Pastor or Evangelist is because within the positions the Lord gave to His church is a specific and separate positions of evangelist and pastor.

It seems that some pastors not all are having a difficult time making up their minds whether they are an evangelist or a pastor even though the words of God clearly state that evangelist and pastor are two separate specific individual positions. The reason that I say this is that there many pastors who are absent from their church’s pulpit on a Sunday or absent for a week at a time preaching at another church’s pulpit.

So, I ask how a man who is called, enabled, and equipped to pastor a church be absent from his pulpit not just occasionally by several times a year. Who is caring for his flock? He is the one that is suppose to be ministering the words of God to his people. He is the one that his people look up to and go for counsel when needed. He is the one who is to protect his flock from the wolves without and within the church.

We have too many delinquent pastors who are not fulfilling their God called position in the body of Christ. The people suffer and the church overall as well.

What can be the motivation for a pastor to leave his pulpit and go to another church to administer the words of God. The Lord gave the church the position of evangelist to fulfill this function and equipped that individual with the gifts to go from church to church administering the words of God to the body of Christ.

So, what motivates a pastor to be absent from his pulpit that God has given him to go to another church to preach while his people are left without their spiritual protection. Could it be ego? Could it be that he thinks has insight into God’s words no one else has? Could be that he is a show pony and needs more than one stage to perform on? Could it be he loves the praises of men more than the praises of God?

My prayer is that a man called by God to be a pastor would do what God has called, enabled and equipped him to do. Let the evangelists do what they are called to do and be content with what the Lord has given you.

^“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

• Introduction:
  • It is no secret that the human race is in constant search of counsel. Psychiatrist, Physiologist, marriage counselors, Astrologist, Spiritualist and a variety of other listeners are doing a booming business.
  • The Bible tells us “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the Multitude of counsellors there is safety.” (Prov. 11: 14).
  • God provides excellent counsel (Prov. 22:20), but all too often people opt for the counsel of the wicked (Prov. 12:5).
  • Jesus Christ, the Wonderful Counsellor, provides excellent advice to the subjects that are the most addressed, even today!
• I.   PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
  • A.      Family problems
    • Jesus recognized that people would have family problems –
      • He even indicated that some of these problems would be a result of Christ’s rule in a person’s life.
    • Jesus also was keenly aware of the divorce problem (Matt. 19:1-9), and went immediately to the root of it by describing it as selfishness.
      • The word hardness indicates a spiritual problem (See Mk. 16:14; 3:5).
    • Jesus not only went right to the root of the problem but provided solutions.
      • 1.       He indicated the children would need extra help (Matt. 19:13-15).
      • 2.       He stated that mutual honor was necessary (Matt. 19:19).
  • B.      Other Personal Relationship
    • 1.  Jesus gave up all His rights to come to earth to die for sinners.
    • 2.  This is applied to the church age saint in (Rom. 12:10-21).
• II. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
  • Jesus gave sound principles for finances.
    • A.  Do not let money rule your life (Matt. 19:16-26).
    • B. Be accountable and responsible for all that you do have (Luke 19:12-27).
    • C. Trust God for your provisions (Matt. 6:30).
• III.          HOW TO KNOW THE WELL OF GOD
  • Jesus seemed to spend more time concentrating on doing the already revealed will of God than worrying about the yet unrevealed (Matt. 22:36-40).
    • A.  Jesus said the will of God was to do good (Lk. 635; Acts 10:38).
    • B. The will of God is to be obedient ‘in the day to day things (Matt. 21:28-32).
• IV. STRUGGLES OF THE FLESH
  • Jesus was not nearly as condemning as some Christians are concerning struggles of the flesh, and yet He was very demanding when it came to repentance (Jn. 8:1-11).
  • Jesus’ solutions are:
    • A.  Stay in the Word (John 8:31).
    • B. Set spiritual goals (Matt. 6:33)
    • C. Remove yourself from evil influences (Matt. 15:14; 16:11,12).
• WONDERFUL, COUNSELLOR:
  • He is a Wonderful, Counsellor.
  • Justly is He called Wonderful, for He is both God and man.
  • His love is the wonder of angels and glorified saints; in His birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension, He was wonderful.
  • A constant series of wonders attended Him, and without controversy, great was the mystery of godliness concerning Him.
  • He is the Counsellor, for He was intimately acquainted with the counsels of God from eternity, and He gives counsel to the children of men, in which He consults our welfare.
  • It is by Him that God has given us counsel.
  • He is made of God to us wisdom. He spoke of His own authority:
    • “Verily, I say unto you.”
  • Other teachers explained the law; He is the lawgiver.
  • Others drew more or less pure waters from cisterns:
    • He is in Himself a well of water, from which all may draw.
  • He alone is sufficient for us.
  • He not only speaks the truth, which needs no other confirmation than His own lips, but He is the truth.
  • We may canvass other men’s teachings and distinguish their insight from their errors; we have but to accept His.
  • The world outgrows all others; it can only grow up toward the fullness of His.
  • Us and all the ages He teaches with authority, and the guarantee for the truth of His teaching is Himself “Verily, verily, I say unto you.”
  • No other man has a right to say that to me.
  • But Christ dominates the race, and the strong Son of God is the world’s teacher.

“Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.  But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” Hebrews 2:8-10

• Introduction:
  • The term “captain” is familiar to Bible readers because it is used often to describe a variety of positions.
  • For Example:
    • 1.  Kings were captains of their nation.
      • a.       Jephthah – (Judges 11: 6-11)
      • b.       Saul – (1 Sam. 9:16; 10:1)
      • c.       David – (2 Sam. 5:2)
      • d.       Hezekiah – (2 Kings 20:5)
    • 2.  Every king had a captain of the host (army).
      • (Gen. 21:22,32; 26:26; Judg. 4:2,7; 1 Sam. 14:50; 17:55; 26:5; 2 Sam. 2:18; 1 Kings 2:32 etc.)
    • 3.  In Israel, there was a captain over each tribe (Numbers 2:3-29)
      • a.       Amasa, captain of Judah – (1 Kings 2:32)
      • b.       Adina, captain of Reuben – (1 Chron. 11:42)
      • Note: (I Chron. 27:1-5) seems to indicate that each captain and his tribe served one month active duty a year.
    • 4.  Captains over smaller ranks.
      • a.       Captain of one thousand – (1 Sam. 17:15)
      • b.       Captain of one hundred – (Num. 31:14,48,52,54)
      • c.       Captain of fifty – (2 Kings 1:9-13; 15:23-25)
  • The title “captain” in what ever context used is obviously a military term.
    • The plain and necessary implication of this title is that we are passing through a country full of difficulties, dangers, oppositions, like Israel with the wilderness on their way to the promised inheritance; so that we need a Captain, Guide, Leader, to carry us safely through.
    • The responsibilities of a captain would then be to do the following.
• I.   THE CAPTAIN MUST LEAD
  • A.      He leads us into the battle (Josh. 5:13-15) –
    • The most common battle of the 20th Century Christian is the one of personal sanctification.
    • Joshua 6 gives us several key points of strategy to remember.
      • 1.       If the battle is won, it will be given by the Lord – (Josh. 6:2; Eph. 6:10; 1 Timothy 6:12)
      • 2.       It may require a great deal of patience – (Josh. 6:3; Rom. 5:3; Heb. 12:1)
      • 3.       It may require a great deal of perseverance – (Josh. 6:4; Eph. 6:18)
      • 4.       We need to avail ourselves of the psychology of the “shout” – (Josh. 6:5; Ezra 3:11-13; Ps. 5:11; 32:11; 35:27 47:1)
      • 5.       We must realize that there is also an individual battle – (Josh. 6:5; Jam. 1:14; Rom. 14:12; Eph. 6:13)
      • 6.       It will require complete obedience – (Josh. 6:10; Rom. 16:19; Lk. 9:62)
      • 7.       It will require personal sacrifice – (Josh. 6:12, 15; Phil 2:5-8; 3:7,8; Heb. 13:16)
      • 8.       Paying close attention will help us keep from the accursed thing – (Josh. 6:18; 2 Cor. 2:11; 1 Pet. 5:8; 1 Tim. 3:7; Prov. 4:23; 2 Cor. 8:7; Heb. 12:15; 2 Pet. 1:5)
  • B.      He leads in suffering
    • (Hebrews 2:10) says, Christ was made perfect through suffering.
    • This does not mean that he was sinful before and was made holy by his sufferings.
    • Christ was not made better, for he was before perfectly holy, but he was completely endowed for the work which he came to do.
    • He, through sufferings was rendered complete because of:
      • 1.       His sufferings made Him an example to all His people who shall pass through trials.
      • 2.       He is able to sympathize with them, and to succor them in their temptations – (Heb. 2:18)
      • 3.       By His sufferings an atonement was made for all sin.
        • He was made perfect, in that His death provided a finished work. – (Heb. 5:8,9)
  • C.      He leads into glory
    • It would be impossible for any of Christ’s soldiers to go into glory, had He not gone first as the firstfruits (1 Cor. 15:23)
• II. THE CAPTAIN MUST ENCOURAGE
  • The best way is by example – (Jn. 13:14,15)
  • In order to properly encourage the captain he must be a man of Character.
    • A.  He must be a man after God’s heart – (1 Sam. 13:14)
    • B. A man who overcomes all for his goal – (2 Sam. 5:8)
    • C. A man who is the most honorable ; (2 Sam. 23:19)
    • D. A man who can listen to proper request – (2 Kings 4:13)
    • E.  A man who gives words of praise when they are deserved – (Lk. 19:17)

“I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.” (Revelation 22:16)

• Introduction:
  • Venus has often been called the Earth’s sister world because it is approximately the same size.
    • When Venus is moving toward the earth, the planet can be seen in the evening sky, thus it is called the Evening Star.
    • When moving away from earth, it is visible in the early morning sky and called the Morning star.
    • When viewed through a telescope, Venus can be seen going through “changes” in shape and size.
    • These apparent changes are called phases, and they resemble those of the moon.
    • They result from different parts of Venus! Sunlit areas being visible from the earth at different times.
  • Venus never really changes but only appears to.
    • And so it is with the Lord Jesus Christ – He never really changes, but His appearance depends upon where you are in proximity to Him.
    • When Venus is closest to the earth in its orbit it is only 26,000,000 miles away (right next door as far as space is concerned) – closer to the earth than any other planet.
    • At its closest point the apparent diameter is six times greater than when it is at its farthest point.
  • There are several things about Venus that we need to consider:
• I.   ITS BRIGHTNESS
  • Venus is the third brightest object in the sky as seen from earth – the sun being the brightest (Matt. 4:2) and the moon the next brightest.
    • The only reason the moon appears brighter to the world is because it is so much closer to the earth than Venus.
      • Actually the moon only reflects 7 percent of the light it receives.
      • By comparison Venus reflects 59 percent of the light it receives from the sun.
  • The church is compared to the moon (Sol. Song 6:10) and is obviously negligent in its responsibility to cast light upon the world.
    • According to astronomers, Venus, at its brightest, may be seen in the daytime if one knows just where to look for it.
    • At night, it often casts a long path of light across a body of water. (See also, Ps. 19:12; Isa. 60:1-3; Hab. 3:4; Acts 26:13; Heb. 1:3)
• II. ITS CLOUDS
  • Venus is shrouded by a perpetual layer of dense clouds that make it impossible for astronomers to actually see the planet itself (Jn. 1:5)
    • When Jesus ascended into heaven He was received up into a cloud (Acts 1:9).
    • After that He could no longer be seen but there was plenty of bright evidence of His existence (Acts 1:3).
  • The clouds accomplish at least two things of interest:
    • A.  According to National Geographic, June 1975; “If a man could stand on Venus on a clear day the observer would enjoy one of the strangest experiences of a life time.
    • Because of super refractivity, the acute bending of light rays by the ultra dense atmosphere, one could in theory see all the way around the planet.
    • In effect he would seem to be standing at the bottom of a bowl with the entire planet stretching up endlessly on every side.
    • “It would be,” says Dr. Bradford A. Smith of the University of Arizona, “like looking through a fishbowl of clear water.”
      • See (Prov. 15:3; 5:21; 2 Chron. 16:9; Job 34:21,22; Jer. 16:17; Zech. 4:10; Heb. 4:13).
  • B.      The thick atmosphere of clouds that reach astonishing altitudes of over 35 miles (on earth, even the highest clouds seldom go above ten miles) traps the suns energy and helps build up the most furnace like heat yet to be found on any planet.
    • The constant temperature of Venus runs between 800 degrees and 1000 degrees F.
    • At such temperatures lead, tin, and zinc will melt, and any number of compounds vaporize.
    • This kind of intense heat is always characterized by judgment in the Bible,
      • (See Mic. 1:3,4 Isa. 64:1-3 ; Ps. 68:1,2; 97:1-5; Nah. 1:5).
  • C.      In the Old Testament the cloud was representative of the power and presence of the Lord.
    • (I Kings 8:10,11; Ex. 40:34,3 5 Eze. 10:3,4)
• III.          ITS ROTATION
  • Venus is the exception of all the planets in our solar system in that it rotates from east to west whereas others rotate from west to east.
    • Of course this is no surprise to a Bible student even though it may be to a scientist.
  • WEST TO EAST
    • (Gen. 3:24) Adam and Eve driven out of the garden to the East.
    • (Gen. 4:16) When Cain left God’s presence he went out to the East.
    • (Gen. 28:10) When Jacob got backslidden and ran from Esau, he went eastward.
    • (Num. 32) The first tribes to go into captivity settled East of Jordan.
    • (Jer. 52) When the Jews were taken captive they went Eastward.
    • (I Sam. 16:18) David ran from Absolom, Eastward.
      • West to East is the rotation of the world against the sun.
  • EAST TO WEST
    • (Gen. 12:1-6) Abraham called out of Ur of Chaldees, East to West.
    • (Gen. 32-35) When Jacob got his life right he traveled Westward.
    • (Num. 19:25) The Jews entered the land East to West (they traversed the Dead Sea).
    • (Ezra-Neh.) When the Jews returned from captivity, they went Westward.
      • East to West movement of the Sun (Type of Christ) in opposition to the world.
    • Entering the tabernacle you move East to West.
      • This is the direction of Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem at the 2nd coming.
    • (Matt. 1) The wise men came from the East, The gospel has traveled from east to west.
      • In other words Jesus Christ runs in opposition to the rest of the world. (See Jn. 8:23; 1:10; 17:14,16; 1 Jn. 2:15,16; 4:4-6)
• IV. ITS REVOLUTION
  • While earth turns on its axis once a day, Venus turns slowly – and in the opposite direction – once every 243 earth days.
    • At the same time, it revolves about the sun once every 225 earth days.
    • The combination gives the planet a solar day (that is, from one sunrise to the next) of 117 days.
    • The idea of the slow revolution is that time is fairly irrelevant to God.
      • He is patient, He has a plan, and it will not be hurried by anyone. (2 Pet. 3:8; Ps. 90:1-4; Rev. 1:8; 21:6; 22:13; Isa. 57:15).

THE BREAD OF LIFE

John 6

• Introduction:
  • In the East bread is primary, other articles of food merely accessory; while in the West meat is primary and bread is secondary.
    • Accordingly “bread” in the Old Testament from (Gen. 3:19) onward stands for food in general.
  • According to the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia , “The large pone or thick loaf of the West is unknown in the East.
    • The common oriental cake or loaf is proverbially thin.
    • The thin homemade bread is really named both in Hebrew and Arabic from its thinness as is reflected in the “wafer” in (Ex. 16:31; 29:23; Lev. 8:26; Num. 6:19).
  • “It is still significantly customary at a Syrian meal to take a piece of such bread and, with the ease and skill of long habit, to fold it over at the end held in the hand so as to make a sort of spoon of it, which then is eaten along with whatever is lifted by it out of the common dish (cf. Matt. 26:23).
  • But this “dipping in the common dish” is so accomplished as not to allow the contents of the dish to be touched by the fingers, or by anything that has been in contact with the lips of those who sit at meat.
  • “Such “loaves” are generally today about 7 inches in diameter and from half an inch to an inch thick.
    • Such, probably, were the lad’s “barley loaves” brought to Christ at the time of the feeding of the 5,000 (John. 6:9-13).
    • Even thinner cakes, of both leavened and unleavened bread, are sometimes made now as of old, especially at times of religious festivals.
    • Often they are coated on the upper surface with olive oil and take on a glossy brown color in cooking; and sometimes they are sprinkled over with aromatic seeds, which adhere and impart a spicy flavor.”
  • The ancients were very much aware of the Divine processes that were necessary to bring about a grain harvest and consequently regard bread as peculiarly “a gift of God.”
    • A day reminder of His continual and often undeserved care (Matt. 5:45) was reflected in Jesus’ prayer instructions (Matt. 6:11).
      • “Give us this day our daily bread.”
• I.   THE MIRACLE
  • The entire “bread of life” discussion is prefaced by the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 (Matt. 6:1-14).
  • When Jesus compared Himself to bread, He must have had the entire bread making process in mind.
  • Before you can have bread there must be grain.
• A.  The seed was planted. (Jn. 1:1,14; 1 Pet. 1:23; Lk. 1:35)
• B. The seed sprouted. (Isa. 53:2; Lk. 2:40,52)
• C. The seed bore fruit. (Lk. 24:19)
• D. The fruit is cut down. (Isa. 53:8)
• E.  The grain is ground. (Isa. 52:14; 1 Pet. 2:21-24; Isa. 53:4-5)
• F.  The flour is baked. (Acts 2:27, 31)
• G. Life giving substance is the result. (Heb. 2:10; 1 John. 5:11,12)
• II. THE MANNA
  • The listening audience of Jesus desired a perpetual miracle (Matt. 6:31).
    • They had failed to see the obvious comparisons.
• A.The Type – It is interesting to study the Old Testament manna as a type or picture of Jesus Christ.
  • 1.       It came from heaven at night; Christ came, from heaven when men were in darkness.
  • 2.       It fell on the dew; Christ came, born of the Spirit of God.
  • 3.       It was not defiled by the earth; Christ was sinless, separate from sinners.
  • 4.       It was small, round, and white, speaking of Christ’s humility, eternity, purity.
  • 5.       It was sweet to the taste; Christ is sweet to those who trust Him.
  • 6.       It had to be taken and eaten; Christ must be received and appropriated.
  • 7.       It came as a free gift; Christ is the free gift of God to the world.
  • 8.       There was sufficient for all; Christ is sufficient for all.
  • 9.       If you did not pick it up, you walked on it; if you do not receive Christ, you reject Him and walk on Him (See Heb. 10:26-31).
  • 10.     It was wilderness food; Christ is our food in this pilgrim journey to heaven.
• B. The Materials
  • 1.       Barley – Barley was in early times, as it is today. The main bread – stuff of the poor people. This is a picture of the availability of Christ to everyone.
  • 2.       Wheat – Wheat was also widely used as a bread – stuff then, as it is now, the wheat of the Syrian plains and uplands being remarkable for its nutritious and keeping qualities.
    • Three kinds, or qualities, of flour, are distinguished, according to the way of making:
      • 1). A coarser sort, rudely made by the use of pestle and mortar, the “beaten corn” of (Lev. 2:14,16)
      • 2). The “flour” or “meal” of ordinary use (Ex. 29:2; Lev. 2:2; 6:15)
      • 3). The “fine meal” for honored guests (see Gen. 18:6), where Abraham commands Sarah to “Make ready… three measures of fine meal”) with which we may compare the “find flour” for the kings kitchen (I Kings 4:22) and the “fine flour” required for the ritual meal offering as in (Lev. 2:1; 5:11; 7:12; 14:10; 23:13; 24:5; etc.).
  • The idea is that Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life, reaches into every sector of life.
• III.          THE MESSAGE
  • What does Jesus mean by “eating” His flesh and “drinking” His blood?
    • HE IS NOT SPEAKING LITERALLY!
      • In (Jn. 6:63) He clearly says, “The flesh profiteth nothing.“
    • What gives life?
      • “It is the SPIRIT THAT QUICKENETH” (Jn. 6:63),
      • “THE WORDS that I speak unto you, THEY are Spirit and they are life.”
  • In other words, a person eats Christ’s flesh and drinks His blood – that is, partakes of Christ and receives Him – by receiving THE WORD as taught by THE SPIRIT.
  • Christ is not talking about the bread and cup of the Lord’s Supper.
    • The Lord’s Supper had not even been instituted, and when it was, Jesus clearly stated that it was a MEMORIAL only.
      • It did not impart fife.
      • To say that a man receives eternal fife by eating bread and drinking wine is to deny the very Word of God: “The flesh profited NOTHING. “
  • Jesus is the Living Word (Jn. 1:14) and He was “made flesh” for us (John 1:14).
    • The Bible is the written Word.
    • Whatever the Bible says about Jesus, it also says about itself
      • Both are holy (Lk. 1:35 and 2 Tim. 3:15);
      • Both are Truth (Jn. 14:6; 17:17);
      • Both are Light (Jn. 8:12; Ps. 119:105);
      • Both give life (Jn. 5:21 – Ps. 119:93);
      • Both produce the new birth (1 Jn. 5:18; 1 Pet. 1:23);
      • Both are eternal (Rev. 4:10; 1 Pet. 1:23);
      • Both are the power of God (1 Cor. 1:24; Rom. 1:16).
    • The conclusion is obvious: when I receive the Word into my heart, I receive Jesus Christ.
      • We “eat His flesh” by partaking of the Word of God.
      • “I am the living Bread,” said Jesus in (vs. 51); and in Lk. 4:4 He said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word of God.”
    • Peter grasped the meaning of the sermon, for in (Jn. 6:68) he said, “To whom shall we go? Thou hast THE WORDS of eternal life.”

ADVOCATE

“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:”1 John 2:1

Introduction:

• An advocate, according to the dictionary, is in its most general sense, “one that pleads the cause of another, esp. before a tribunal or judicial court.”
  • This is precisely the sense that the Word of God presents the Lord Jesus Christ in (1 Jn. 2:1).
  • The picture that the Bible paints is that of a courtroom and all the major characters are there –
    • The defendant is the sinner – [you and I];
    • The prosecuting attorney (or the “accuser” – Rev. 12:10; Job 1:9-11) is Satan, who brings the accusations of the sinner before the Judge, God the Father.
    • And the Advocate’s job is to defend the sinner in the “eternal courtroom.”
  • What are some of the qualifications of a good advocate? And how well does Jesus Christ fit the description of an adept defense attorney?
• I.THE ADVOCATE MUST BE RIGHTEOUS
  • It is important to note that this passage, where the word “advocate” is used, is the only passage where Jesus Christ is called “the righteous.”
  • It is critical that the advocate be, in all ways, righteous (2 Cor. 5:21).
• A.  He must be righteous to actually discern the truth.
  • Jesus Himself, in his illustration about correct judgment, says that unless a man is himself free from the deceitfulness of sin, he cannot see clearly to properly discern the sins of another, and be in a good position to help him. (Matt. 7:5)
• B.  He must be righteous to speak truthfully, and speaking truthfully is critical to the defense of the defendant.
  • He must not flatter to sway the court; he must not succeed in this case by some cunning sleight of hand maneuver in the trial, but by exposing the facts truthfully; otherwise, the victory is not real at all.
  • Jesus never had a word of guile in His mouth. (1 Pet. 2:22; Isa. 53:9).
• C.  He must be righteous and without sin to truly understand the power and ramifications of the sin of the defendant. (Heb. 4:15).
  • It is often thought in this day that the only way to know the power of sin is to give in to it.
    • (Oscar Wilde said, which summarizes the philosophy of the day, “The only way to get rid of the temptation is to yield to it.”), but the truth is just the opposite.
    • You don’t know the true power of the wind by lying down on the ground, you realize its true force by standing up to it.
    • The way to truly know the force of an enemy’s army is be fighting against it, not by surrendering.
  • Jesus Christ, because He never sinned, because He followed every temptation all the way through until He was the Victor, is the only One Who can fully understand sin
    • And therefore the only One Who can fully defend the man charged with sin.
• D.  He must be righteous to let all the hearers know that, He in seeking the justice and righteousness of the case for righteousness sake, is not a hypocrite.
  • He must, in His righteousness, quiet all the hecklers and people who are accusing Him of being insincere. (Jn. 8:46)
• II.   THE ADVOCATE MUST TRULY UNDERSTAND THE LAW UNDER WHICH HE FUNCTIONS
  • A.        Jesus Christ grew up with, and under, the Law. (Gal. 4:4; Lk. 2:27)
  • B.        His life was an adherence to, and a fulfillment of, the law. (Matt. 5.17)
  • C         He was known by all of His peers to have been familiar with it (even from His youth, Lk. 2:46-48), and He customarily read it to all. (Lk. 4:16)
• III.  THE ADVOCATE MUST CARE FOR SAFETY OF HIS CLIENT
  • A.        Jesus shows earnest concern for the client’s life. (Jn. 10:10)
  • B.        Jesus is very defensive about the protection of his clients. (Jn. 10:28,29)
  • C.        Since He cares, and the defendant knows it, the defendant can freely tell Him all the problems and concerns that relate to the case. (1 Pet. 5:7)
• IV.  THE ADVOCATE MUST KNOW ABOUT EVERY RELEVANT
• PERSON, AND EVERY RELEVANT CASE THAT SURROUND, AND
• CAN HELP HIM IN, HIS CASE
  • A.        He knows His clients by name. (Jn. 10:3)
    • (See also 2 Tim. 2:19; Acts 15:8,18)
  • B.        The knowledge of His clients is one of trust and intimacy. (Jn. 10:14)
  • C.        He has all of the facts at His disposal. (Prov. 15:3; Heb. 4:13)
  • D.        He knows the details of every case, and can skillfully sift the positive facts from the negative ones.
    • Concerning all of the seven churches in Revelation, Jesus Christ proclaims, I know thy works,” and goes on to analyze each one’s works objectively in the light of God’s word. (Rev. 2:2,9,13,19; 3:1,8,15)
• V.THE ADVOCATE MUST BE WISE TO THE TRICKS AND STRATEGIES OF THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY
  • In the Bible, Satan is pictured as the prosecutor, or the “accuser” (Rev. 12:10).
    • Since Jesus knows the hearts of all, He knows every plan of attack that Satan is going to use, and, when defending us, utilizes this knowledge to His advantage at every turn.
    • We are told to watch out for the wiles of the devil, and to be wary of his tricks and schemes (1 Pet. 5:8; 2 Cor. 2:11).
    • Imagine how well our Advocate knows about them!
• VI. THE ADVOCATE MUST KNOW THE GROUND ON WHICH TO REST HIS PLEA FOR SUCCESS
  • The “propitiation” is mentioned directly in context with Jesus Christ and His role as the Advocate.
    • His propitiation is the faultless ground on which Christ rests His case for us.
    • With this plea, He will never, and can never, lose a case.
  • “Propitiation” is the atoning sacrifice offered to appease the wrath of God. – Websters Dictionary
• A.  The propitiation is powerful in scope (1 Jn. 2:2) –
  • It is powerful enough for any and all who will come to Christ.
• B.  The propitiation is powerful in love (1 Jn. 4:10,11).
  • Christ’s propitiation is one of the highest expressions of His love toward us.
• C.  The propitiation is powerful in its foundation.
  • There is nothing stronger than the blood of Christ. (Romans 3:25)

Mr. Spurgeon once preached what in his judgment was one of his poorest sermons. He stammered and floundered, and when he got through he felt that it had been a complete failure. He was greatly humiliated, and when he got home he fell on his knees and said, “Lord, God, Thou canst do something with nothing. Bless that poor sermon.”

All through the week he uttered that prayer. He woke up in the night and prayed about it. He determined that the next Sunday he would redeem himself by preaching a great sermon. Sure enough, the next Sunday the sermon went off beautifully. At the close the people crowded about him and covered him with praise. Spurgeon went home pleased with himself, and that night he slept like a baby. But he said to himself, “I’ll watch the results of those two sermons.” What were they?

From the one that has seemed a failure, he was able to trace forty-one conversions; from that magnificent sermon, he was unable to discover that a single soul was saved. The Spirit of God used the one and did not use the other. We can do nothing without the Spirit who helps our infirmities.

“But God hath chosen the foolish things … and God hath chosen the weak things .. .And base things … and things which are despised … and things which are not … That no flesh should glory in his presence” (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).

-The Gospel Standard –

John Paton’s family was not rich; in fact, they were so poor that they often had to wear old, thin clothes, and at times there was no food in the house and no obvious way to get more food. But although this was the case, they were always provided for.

When John was going to school, he was one of the poorer boys, and he did not have warm clothes like the others. One evening, when the family was praying at family worship, the door of their house opened and shut quietly. Once the worship was over, John rushed to the door. There on the floor by the door was a parcel containing a new suit of fine, warm clothes which fitted him perfectly. How pleased he was! He could now go to school with warm clothes and look as smart as the other boys.

John’s mum reminded him that it was God who sent the clothes, and that he should thank God for them, no matter who actually brought them to him. As it turned out, the clothes were from the teacher who was quite unkind to him at other times.

There was another incident which John remembered when he was growing up. It happened at a time when food was scarce. The crops had not been good that year, especially the potato crop. So the prices of other foods went up, too, and many families were going hungry. John’s dad had gone to find work in a town not too far away, hoping to return home the next evening with some food and money. But after his father had left, the food in the house had completely run out. There was no bread (and no flour to make bread), no cheese, and no potatoes- there was absolutely nothing to eat. John’s mum did not like to ask any of her neighbors for help, so she had to persuade her eleven children to go to sleep although they had no food that day. She told her children not to worry because she had told God everything, and she knew that He would send them plenty in the morning.

Perhaps the children were wishing that their mum would go and beg for some food from other people instead of “just praying to God.” Imagine how they all felt with their stomachs rumbling because they had no food that day, and no hope for food until their dad came home the next night. Thankfully this is a feeling which most of us have never really had. Sometimes we might say, “Oh, I’m starving!” when what we really mean is that we are just a little bit hungry, and, usually, when we do have that hungry feeling, we know we can get food quite easily and quickly. Imagine having that feeling going on and on and getting worse and worse and not knowing when it will go away. Although we might not experience this, there are, sadly, many others who do have this feeling.

The next morning, a delivery came to the Paton house. It was a present from John’s granddad, Mrs. Paton’s father. The present was a bag of potatoes, a large bag of flour, and a delicious home-made cheese. Not only was this more than enough food to keep them from feeling hungry that day, but it also gave them many other tasty meals.

Imagine how surprised and amazed John and his brothers and sisters would have been at this wonderful present arriving when they had not expected it! How did John’s granddad know to send them this food just when they needed it? John’s mum had not written to him asking for food; she had not phoned him – because there were no phones then.

John’s mum, seeing her children’s surprise at this wonderful present, called them to her and told them to love God, and to tell Him in faith and prayer all their needs, and that He will supply all their needs so far as it shall be for their good and His glory.

What good advice Mrs. Paton was giving her children! And it would be good if we all could follow it. No problem or worry is to small for us to tell God- He wants us to tell Him everything. We are told in the Bible to “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know unto God” (Philippians 4:6).

But we need to think about the difference between things we want and things we need. Sometimes we think we need various things when actually we do not need them at all-we just want them. Did you notice the phrase at the end of Mrs. Paton’s advice, “for their good and His glory”? God will only say, “Yes,” to our prayers if the things we are asking for will be for our good and His glory. It might be hard for us to understand why God has not helped us in the way we asked, but we should trust Him, for He knows best. But there is one thing we all need that God is always willing to give. He has promised, “A new heart also will I give you…” (Ezekiel 36:26). This is the most important thing to ask God for.

The Gospel Standard

Text:               Genesis 18:17-19

Intro:

• I believe to have one’s name mentioned in the Bible is extraordinary.
• However, to have the God of the Bible actually provide a testimony in a person’s behalf is hardly imaginable.
• When any of us stand in the presence of God
  • We realize as Isaiah did we are  “people of unclean lips”
• • We realize as the Apostle Paul did – “O wretched man that I am!”
  • We realize as the Apostle Peter did – “I am a sinful man”
• The Bible declares –
  • “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one”
  • “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”
• Despite this God testifies in His Word about some of His Saints.
• We want to look at some of “The Testimonies of God.”

I.          Abraham – Genesis 18:19

• Notice God’s testimony about Abraham
  • God says, “For I know him“
  • God had no doubt about the statement that He was about to make about Abraham.
• “that he will command his children and his household after him“
  • God said that Abraham had his family and household in order.
  • He rules them well.
  • They were in complete submission to him because Abraham was in complete submission to God.
• “they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment“
  • Abraham was obedient to God and set the example for his family.
  • He spent time in instructing his family on the things of the Lord.
  • See Deut. 6:4-9.
  • He made sure that his family had a time of devotion each.
  • He was not a hypocrite.
  • He practiced what he preached.
  • His walk matched his talk.
  • Therefore, Abraham’s family was obedient to God.
  • As Abraham was just and fair in his business dealings and so would his family.
• In fact notice what the Word of God says about Abraham’s relationship with God.
  • See James 2:23
  • Can you imagine being called “The Friend of God”
  • I believe the reason that Abraham was called The Friend of God is because he was obedient to God.
• We see his life of obedience begin when God told him in Genesis 12:1 – “Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:”
• We see Abraham’s obedience in Genesis 12:4 – “So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him;”
• Abraham was not perfect.
  • He was a sinner just like you and me.
  • However, overall his life reflected a life that was obedient to God.
• Abraham had the testimony of OBEDIENCE to God

II.         Job – Job 1:8

• Notice God’s testimony about Job –

• “there is none like him in the earth”
  • Job was in a class all by himself.
• “a perfect and an upright man”
  • God did not say Job was sinless.
  • Job was a perfect man
    • A man who was a mature saint.
    • A man who was consistently right with God.
    • A man who confessed his sins to God on a regular basis.
  • Job was an upright man.
    • A man who could be trusted in his business dealings.
    • A man who was honest and would never cheat anyone.
    • A man was known as being fair in his business dealings.
• “one that feareth God”
  • Job had the testimony that he feared God.
  • That is why he was a perfect and upright man.
• The Word of God has a lot to say about “the fear of the Lord”
  • “the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom”
  • “the fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom”
  • “the fear of the Lord prolongeth days”
  • “the fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death”
• “escheweth evil”
  • Job had the testimony that he avoided evil.
  • The Word of God tells us “to depart from evil is understanding”
• See James 5:10-11.
  • We see that Job had a testimony of being patient when it came to suffering.
  • The Word of God tells us in  Romans 5:3 – “…knowing that tribulation worketh patience”
  • Job certainly had his share and more of tribulation but through it all he was patient and trusted in God.
• Job had the testimony that he FEARED GOD.
  • As a result he was an upright man and avoided evil.

III.        David – Acts 13:22

• Notice God’s testimony about David

• “a man after mine own heart”
  • A believe the key word is “heart”
• See Isaiah 66:2
  • Notice the kind of man God takes notice of –
    • A man that has a poor and contrite spirit
    • A man that trembles at God’s Word.
    • David was such man.
• See Psalm 51:17
  • Notice the kind of sacrifices that God will not despise
    • “broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart”
• You see the reason David was a man after God’s own heart was because he saw sin as God saw sin.
  • Something wicked and vile.
  • Despite his sins of committing adultery with Bathsheba and having her husband Uriah murder.
  • David was still a man after God’s own heart because he acknowledged his sin and took full responsibility for it
  • He confessed his sin to God and was broken hearted because of his sin.
  • He asked God for his forgiveness and mercy
  • This evident from Psalm 51 which he wrote.
  • David had godly sorrow which worketh repentance to salvation.
    • David was sorrow for offending God.
    • Not for getting caught.
    • Being sorrow for getting caught is worldly sorrow which worketh death.
• Notice also in Acts 13:22 what God has to say about David.
  • “which shall fulfil all my will”
  • God knew with out a doubt that David was totally submitted to will of God for his life.
  • God knew whatever He told David to do that he would do it.
• David had the testimony of being a MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART.
  • A heart that would weep and hurt over sin that he had committed against God.
  • A man surrendered to the will of God.

IV.       Mary – Luke 1:30

• Notice God’s testimony about Mary.

• “for thou hast found favour with God”
  • Mary found kindness with God.
  • Mary found God’s support.
  • Why you might ask?
  • Of all the virgins in Israel why did Mary find favour with God?
• Let’s look at some of the statements that Mary made.
  • See Luke 1:38 – “And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word”
  • Mary had a humble spirit.
  • She called herself a handmaid of the Lord.
  • A position of servitude and submission.
• Most women if they were told that they were going to bring the Saviour of mankind into the world would have been pretty puffed up – Amen!
• If they believed the angel Gabriel to begin with.
• Mary was submitted to whatever the Lord had for her to do.
• Notice something else about Mary.
  • She recognized her lost condition.
  • See Luke 1:46-47
    • Her soul magnified the Lord not herself.
    • She her spirit rejoiced in God her Saviour.
• Mary had the testimony of being HUMBLE.
• Mary had the testimony that she would serve the Lord in any way He saw fit.

Conclusion:

• I believe that each one of these testimonies of God should reflect the life of the believer.
• I believe each one of us should have the Testimony:
  • Of being obedient to God as Abraham was.
  • Of fearing God as Job did to keep us upright and to avoid evil.
  • Of having a broken and contrite heart over our sin as David did.
  • Of having a heart of humility, totally surrendered to will of God as Mary did.
• How about you my dear friend – What is God’s Testimony regarding you?

Bible Reading: Hebrews 4:1-16.

Aim: To exhort each other to do 14 things.

1. Let us Fear lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest any of us come short of it. Heb 4:1.

2. Let us Labour to enter God’s rest. 4:11.

3. Let us Hold fast our profession. 4:14.

4. Let us Come boldly to the throne of grace in prayer. 4:16.

5. Let us Go on unto perfection. 6:1.

6. Let us Draw near with a true heart. 10:22.

7. Let us Consider one another to provoke to love and good works. 10:24.

8. Let us Lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us. 12:1.

9. Let us Run with Patience the race that is set before us. 12:1.

10. Let us Have Grace whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 12:28.

11. Let Brotherly Love continue. 13:1.

12. Let your conversation be without covetousness. 13:5.

13. Let us go forth unto him without the camp ……, bearing his reproach. 13:13.

14. Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually. 13:15.

The Answer Book – Keith Piper