Sermon #1512[1]                                   Miscellaneous Sermons

 

     Title:              A Message for Perilous Times

             or

Seven Irrefutable Facts of Divine Revelation

     Text:            2 Timothy 3:1-4:5

     Subject:       Vital Gospel Doctrine

     Introduction:

 

(2 Timothy 3)  "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, (4) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; (5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (6) For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, (7) Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (8) Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. (9) But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. (10) But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, (11) Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. (12) Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (13) But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. (14) But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; (15) And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (16) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

 

(2 Timothy 4:1-5)  "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; (2) Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (4) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (5) But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry."

 

Without question, we are living in perilous times.

 

·        Blasphemers abound.

·        The Church heaps to itself teachers having itching ears.

·        Multitudes have a form of godliness, while denying the power of it.

·        The messengers of Satan transform themselves into angels of light and preachers of righteousness.

·        The Gospel of God’s free and sovereign grace is opposed on all sides.

 

In such times as these, the responsibilities of a Gospel preacher are excruciatingly heavy. It is my responsibility, as the servant of God, to do what I can to stop the mouths of the religious gainsayers and rescue perishing sinners from their pernicious lies. And Paul tells me that the way to do that is to simply, unceasingly preach sound doctrine (2 Tim. 4:1-2; Tit. 2:1; 1 Tim. 4:6).

 

(1 Timothy 4:6)  "If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained."

 

(2 Timothy 4:1-2)  "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; (2) Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine."

 

(Titus 2:1)  "But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:"

 

Proposition: No pastor is faithful to his calling, charge, and responsibility as God’s messenger to men who does not faithfully instruct men and women in sound doctrine, with distinctive clarity and in unmistakable terms. Sound doctrine is essential both to the salvation of sinners and to the spiritual stability and maturity of God’s saints (Eph. 4:14; 1 Tim. 4:16).

 

(Ephesians 4:14)  "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;"

 

(1 Timothy 4:16)  "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee."

 

Fundamentals

 

Tonight we are going to go back to the basics. I am not going to have anything new to say. Everything will be elementary, foundational, essential gospel truth. I want to lay before you the foundation doctrine of the gospel, the fundamentals and essentials of the faith, Basic Bible Doctrine. When you think about the fundamentals of the faith, I am sure your mind immediately goes to things like the verbal, plenary inspiration of Holy Scripture, the Bible account of creation, and the Deity and virgin birth of Christ. But those things are not the real issues of sound doctrine.

 

·        Why argue about the inspiration of the Scriptures if we do not believe and preach those truths revealed in the Scriptures? If the Bible is not our only rule of faith and practice, it really does not matter whether it is inspired or not, does it?

 

·        Why argue about the Bible account of creation if we refuse to accept the Bible account of the new creation? Why fight over Darwinian evolution if we embrace the far more evil Arminian theory of evolution? - “God gets salvation started and man completes the work.”

 

·        Why argue with men over the Deity of Christ and his virgin birth, if we are willing to embrace any doctrine that makes Christ a failure, robs him of his glory, and frustrates the purpose of his incarnation.

 

Some of you may be thinking to yourself, “If these things are not the issues, what are they?” I want to show you. And I want to show you from the Word of God. I am going to give you today my own confession of faith. This is what I believe and preach, because this is what I have experienced. This is my doctrine. And this is the doctrine of Grace Baptist Church. But, more importantly, this is basic Bible doctrine. Upon these seven points there can be no compromise. God’s saints embrace, love, and rejoice in these things. Only God’s enemies oppose them.

 

I want everyone here to follow me through the Scriptures (Isa. 8:20). If what I say this day is God’s truth you must bow to it and embrace it, or perish forever in hell. If what I have to say is not God’s truth it is because I am a lost man, without light from God. If that is so, you must never hear me again, lest you embrace a lie and perish with me in the last day. That’s how important, basic and vital these issues are.

 

Tonight, I am calling us, once more, back to the old paths, to walk in the good way, wherein you shall find rest (Jer. 6:16). Give me your ear, and I will feed you with knowledge and understanding. Here are seven irrefutable facts of Divine Revelation.

 

I.      THE ONE TRUE AND LIVING GOD IS TOTALLY SOVEREIGN IN ALL THINGS (Ps. 135:6).

 

Either God is sovereign, or he isn’t. Either God almighty is indeed almighty, in total, absolute, sovereign control of all things, or he has no real control over anything.—What does the Book say?

 

(Psalms 135:6)  "Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places."

 

To say that God is sovereign in all things is to say that God rules all things. Before objecting to that fact, consider the alternative. If God does not rule everything, then something rules God! If God does not control everything, then something controls God! If God does not govern everything, then something governs God!

 

If God is not totally, absolutely, universally sovereign, then it must be concluded that faith in God is nothing more than throwing a coin in a wishing well - because...

 

·        No promise of God can be sure!

·        No prophecy of God can be absolute!

·        No word from God can be believed!

 

A. God is the sovereign Creator of all things (Gen. 1:1).

 

B. God is the sovereign Ruler of all things (Rom. 8:28; 11:36).—“All things are of God!

 

(Proverbs 16:4)  "The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil."

 

(Romans 8:28)  "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

 

(Romans 11:36)  "For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen."

 

C. God is the sovereign Disposer of all things (Rev. 4:11).

 

(Revelation 4:11)  "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."

 

     Illustration: The Farmer And His Irrigation Canals

 

D. God is totally sovereign in the exercise of his saving grace (Rom. 9:11-24).

 

(Romans 9:11-24)  "(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) (12) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. (13) As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. (14) What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. (15) For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. (16) So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy. (17) For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. (18) Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. (19) Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? (20) Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? (21) Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? (22) What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: (23) And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, (24) Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?"

 

II. ALL MEN AND WOMEN BY NATURE ARE TOTALLY DEPRAVED (Rom. 3:9-19).

 

Either man is totally depraved, dead in trespasses and in sins, or he is not. If he is not, he is in no need of a Savior. If we are not totally depraved, utterly without life before God, all we need is someone to persuade us and nudge us in the right direction.— What does the Book say?

 

(Romans 3:9-19)  "What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; (10) As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: (11) There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. (12) They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. (13) Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: (14) Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: (15) Their feet are swift to shed blood: (16) Destruction and misery are in their ways: (17) And the way of peace have they not known: (18) There is no fear of God before their eyes. (19) Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God."

 

(Ephesians 2:1-5)  "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins: (2) Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: (3) Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. (4) But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, (5) Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)"

 

     Do you know what happened in the Garden of Eden?

     (Describe the Fall).

 

The doctrine of man’s original sin and total depravity does not mean that all men are as sinful and corrupt in their behavior as they can be. God will not allow men in this world to be as wicked in deed as we all are in heart. When we talk about man’s total depravity, we are talking about spiritual death and moral inability (Rom. 5:12; Eph. 2:1-3).

 

(Romans 5:12)  "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:"

 

Here are seven effects of Adam’s fall upon the human race...Those things are true of all men and women by nature.

 

A. Man cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3).

 

B. Man cannot understand the things of God (1 Cor. 2:14).

 

C. Man cannot do anything pleasing to God (Rom. 8:8).

 

D. Man cannot hear the Word of God (John 8:43).

 

E. Man cannot receive the Spirit and truth of God (John 14:17).

 

F. Man cannot come to the Son of God (John 6:44).

 

G. Man cannot call Christ Lord (1 Cor. 12:3).

 

H. Man cannot believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (John 12:39-40).

 

(John 12:39-40)  "Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, (40) He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them."

 

Total depravity means that you cannot be saved by your free will, or your works. Total depravity means that “Salvation is of the Lord,” entirely. If ever you are saved you must be saved by grace alone.

·        Salvation is not determined by you.

·        Salvation is not dependent upon you.

 

Because we are sinners, we are all deserving of God’s everlasting wrath in hell. We are justly condemned. And unless God saves us by his almighty grace, we will forever die. That’s the bad news. But here is the good news.

 

III. GOD ALMIGHTY, FROM OLD ETERNITY CHOSE SOME OF ADAM’S FALLEN RACE TO SALVATION AND ETERNAL LIFE IN CHRIST, AND HIS LOVING CHOICE OF SOME WAS AN UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION OF GRACE (Eph. 1:4; 2 Thess. 2:13-14; John 15:16).

 

Either God chose to save his people, or he didn’t. If he did not choose to save anyone, the salvation of any sinner must be a matter of total uncertainty.— What does the Book say?

 

(John 15:16)  "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you."

 

(Ephesians 1:4)  "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:"

 

(2 Thessalonians 2:13-14)  "But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: (14) Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ."

 

If you read the Bible at all, you know that election is a Bible doctrine. And if you understand what the Bible teaches about election, you know that it is a precious Bible doctrine.

 

A. The cause of our election was the love of God (Jer. 31:3).

 

B. The time of our election was before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4).

 

C. The only condition of our election was the will of God. “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy.”

 

D. The object of our election was our everlasting salvation in perfect holiness - Conformity to Christ (Eph. 1:4).

 

E. The comfort of our election is the immutability of our God (Mal. 3:6).

 

IV. IN THE FULNESS OF TIME THE LORD JESUS CHRIST DIED FOR AND EFFECTUALLY REDEEMED ALL GOD’S ELECT (Isa. 53:8; John 10:11, 15, 26; Heb. 9:12; Gal. 3:13).

 

Either the Lord Jesus Christ redeemed his people, or he didn’t. Either the Son of God redeemed all for whom he died, or his death is of no more meaning or consequence than the death of any other man.— What does the Book say?

 

(Isaiah 53:8)  "He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken."

 

(John 10:11)  "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep."

 

(John 10:15)  "As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep."

 

(John 10:26)  "But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you."

 

(Galatians 3:13)  "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:"

 

(Hebrews 9:12)  "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us."

 

Nowhere in the Bible is it written, or even suggested, that Christ died for everyone in the world, redeemed everyone in the world, or made atonement for everyone in the world. The doctrine of universal redemption is the most hideous, blasphemous doctrine ever spewed from the pit of hell.

 

·        It reduces the love of God to nothing.

·        It perverts the justice of God.

·        It is a mockery of the blood of Christ. Did Christ die in vain?

·        It makes man his own savior.

 

We believe, according to the Scriptures that Christ died for and redeemed God’s elect. His blood was not shed in vain. Our Savior’s limited atonement was and is the effectual redemption of his people. The atonement of Christ is limited in scope, but not in efficacy. It was limited in design, but not in merit - “It is finished!”

 

The issue of the gospel is not the bare fact that Christ died, but “HOW that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:3). This is how he died...

 

(1 Corinthians 15:1-3)  "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; (2) By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. (3) For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;"

 

·        Sovereignty! “I lay down my life!”

·        Substitution! “For the transgressions of my people.”

·        Satisfaction! “I have found a ransom!”

·        Success! “He shall not fail!”

 

V. SALVATION IS WROUGHT IN GOD’S ELECT BY THE IRRESISTIBLE POWER AND GRACE OF GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT (Ps. 65:4).

 

Either the Holy Spirit saves by his almighty call, omnipotent grace, and irresistible power, or he merely stands by in helpless frustration, hoping someone will accept Jesus. Either salvation is of the Lord, or it isn’t.— What does the Book say?

 

(Psalms 65:4)  "Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple."

 

(Psalms 110:3)  "Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth."

 

A. Conviction is the work of the Spirit (John 16:8-11).

 

(John 16:8-11)  "And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: (9) Of sin, because they believe not on me; (10) Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; (11) Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged."

 

B. Regeneration (the new birth) is the work of the Spirit (John 3:3).

 

(John 3:3-7)  "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (4) Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? (5) Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (7) Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again."

 

C. Calling is the work of the Spirit (2 Thess. 2:13-14).

 

(2 Thessalonians 2:13-14)  "But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: (14) Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ."

 

D. Faith is the work of the Spirit (Eph. 1:19).

 

(Ephesians 1:19)  "And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,"

 

(Ephesians 2:8-9)  "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast."

 

(Colossians 2:12)  "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead."

 

·        The instrument of grace is the Word of God.

·        The end of grace is salvation.

·        The cause of grace is the will of God.

 

VI. EVERY BELIEVER SHALL PERSEVERE IN FAITH, BECAUSE ALL WHO TRUST CHRIST ARE INFALLIBLY PRESERVED BY THE GRACE OF GOD (John 10:28; Phil. 1:6; 1 Pet. 1:5).

 

Either none of God’s elect shall ever perish, or none are safe.— What does the Book say?

 

(Ecclesiastes 3:14)  "I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him."

 

(John 10:28)  "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."

 

(Philippians 1:6)  "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:"

 

(1 Peter 1:5)  "Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

 

Here are five bold challenges of faith (Rom. 8:31-39).

 

(Romans 8:28-39)  "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (29) For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (30) Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (31) What shall we then say to these things? 1If God be for us, who can be against us? (32) 2He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? (33) 3Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. (34) 4Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. (35) 5Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (36) As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. (37) Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. (38) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, (39) Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

 

·        “If God be for us, who can be against us?”

·        “How shall he not with him freely give us all things?”

·        “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect?”

·        “Who is he that condemneth?”

·        “Who shall separate us from the love of God?”

 

VII. ALL WHO ARE IN CHRIST ARE FREE FROM THE LAW (Rom. 6:14, 15; 7:4; 10:4).

 

Either we are free from the law, totally and absolutely, or we are still in bondage to the law.— What does the Book say?

 

(Romans 6:14-15)  "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. (15) What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid."

 

(Romans 7:4)  "Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God."

 

(Romans 10:4)  "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth."

 

In Christ we are freed from...

 

·        All legal condemnation (Rom. 8:1).

·        All legal service (Col. 2:16-23).

 

(Colossians 2:16-23)  "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: (17) Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. (18) Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, (19) And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. (20) Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (21) (Touch not; taste not; handle not; (22) Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? (23) Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh."

 

·        All legal motivation (2 Cor. 4:18).

·        All legal fear (Rom. 4:8).

 

Application:

 

1. I call upon you who hear my voice to make your calling and election sure - “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.” Faith in Christ is both the fruit and the proof of -

 

·        God’s Election!

·        Christ’s Redemption!

·        The Spirit’s Call!

 

2. I call upon you who believe to join me in the proclamation of the glorious Gospel of the blessed God around the world.

 

3. And I call upon us all to give God alone all praise, honor, and glory for his great grace to us great sinners in his great Son!

 

(Psalms 115:1)  "Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake."

 

(1 Corinthians 1:26-31)  "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: (27) But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; (28) And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: (29) That no flesh should glory in his presence. (30) But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (31) That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."

 

(Colossians 2:9-10)  "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (10) And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power."

 

(Revelation 5:9-14)  "And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; (10) And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. (11) And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; (12) Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. (13) And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. (14) And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever."

 

AMEN!



[1]       Date: Buck Mountain Baptist Church, Roan Mountain, TN (08/09/02)—Danville (08/18/02)—

                 Zebulon Baptist Church, Pikeville, KY (09/05/02)

        Tape #             X-17b

        Readings:  Lindsay Campbell & Ron Wood