The Divine Commission

The Challenge of the Divine Commission

Matthew 28:19-20

With much of the world unevangelized, and people passing into eternity every minute, it is time the church of Jesus Christ rediscovered the importance and insistence of the Master’s words. He says to you and me today:

1. Go ye with My power: "All power is given unto Me." Think of it, all the powers of heaven and earth and hell are under the authority of the feeblest Christian who is yielded to the Lordship of Christ. To be under the authority of the risen Christ is to be brought into all the good of that authority. None of us knows the full significance of this fact. If we did, we would be witnessing greater happenings (see John 14:12).

2. Go ye with My program: "Make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…teaching them to observe all things." How complicated we have made the program of our Lord! We have cluttered it up with ancient traditions, and modern gimmicks, and organizations that we have lost the strong and pure simplicity, which Jesus outlined for His disciples. Our task is simply to evangelize people for Christ, and then enlist them into the ranks of the church, and following this, edify them into mature Christian men and women. It is only for this program that the Lord Jesus promised His power and authority.

3. Go ye with My presence: "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.". The apostle Paul put it another way when he said, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” What does it matter if men or movements do not acknowledge our works, so long as we are fulfilling the Great Commission in the power of the Holy Spirit we have nothing to fear. What we begin in Him, He promises to finish even after we have passed on. Let us rally then under the banner of our mighty captain and Go.

If we would enjoy the “Lo” of His presence, we must fulfill the “Go” of His program.

What is in a Name

Solomon

2 Samuel 12:24  And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him.

Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight
Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm;
In celestial-like strains it unceasingly falls
O’er my soul like an infinite calm.

And I know when I rise to that city of peace,
Where the Author of peace I shall see,
That one strain of the anthems

 the ransomed will sing,
In that heavenly kingdom shall be:

Peace! peace! wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above;
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray,
In fathomless billows of love.

This is one of my favorite songs of all time and was written by William Cornell a Methodist minister of the late 1800’s. Our thought today is concerning the name of Solomon. David had sinned with Bathsheba and her world was literally turned upside down. Her husband, Uriah had been killed in battle and then her baby had died. David took her into the palace and she became his wife. The Bible says “David comforted Bathsheba.” I cannot imagine how hard he tried to comfort her after all that had happened. When she had this new son David called his name Solomon which means “peace” or “peaceful.” After the turmoil of sin and tragedy, peace came to her. A phrase at the end of our text says, “And the Lord loved him.” God showed His favor on Solomon. David had been a man of war but now Solomon comes as a king of peace and peacefulness.

Thought: Many times in our life the Lord provides peace in the midst of great trials and troubles.

BY THE GRACE OF GOD I AM

1 Cor. 15:9-10

Grace: This is one of those special words that belongs to the child of God. God has given us some words that the world just doesn't know how to properly appreciate. For instance, there are words like glory, amen, hallelujah, faith, etc. The dictionary defines grace as, "unmerited help given to people by God." However, grace is much more than that!

In these verses, Paul was defending the resurrection of the Lord Jesus against the doubts of unbelievers. He mentions the fact that the resurrected Christ was seen by Peter, the 12, 500 brethren, His earthly brother James and then last of all Paul. Paul proceeds to tell his readers that because of his sins and attacks against the church, that he was the least of the apostles and is not even worthy to be named among them. However, Paul goes on to say that he knows God has used him and that anything he has, is, or ever will be, is because of the grace of God.

The same is true for you and me. Because of our sinfulness we deserve nothing less than an eternity in Hell but, because His grace was revealed unto us in the Person of His Son the Lord Jesus, we can be saved and used by the Lord in a wonderful fashion.

I would like to show you some of the possessions that belong to the child of God because of grace. "By The Grace Of God I Am!"

1. I AM SAVED BY GRACE  Eph 2:8, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:"
Eph 1:7, "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;"

2. I AM SURE BY GRACE  Rom 5:2, "By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."

3. I AM SECURE BY GRACE  Rom 3:24, "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:"

4. I AM STRENGTHENED BY GRACE  2 Cor 12:9, "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
2 Cor 9:8, "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:"

5. I AM SUPPLIED BY GRACE Heb 4:16, "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

6. I AM SOMEBODY BY GRACE  Eph 3:7-8, "Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;"

7. I AM SATISFIED BY GRACE  Eph 2:7, "That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus."

8. I AM SURPRISED BY GRACE  1 Cor 15:8-10, "And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me."

Many things in life will fail us. Friendships will blossom and then die. Health can be an elusive thing. Riches and wealth will often remain just beyond the reach of your fingertips. Those we love will pass from the scene leaving a void in our hearts hard to be filled. However, there is one thing that every child of God possesses that can never fail, never end, never run out, never run dry and that will never be found to be insufficient, and that is the grace of God! Yes, the road may be long and dreary, the days may be filled with difficulties and struggles, but rest assured that there will be grace sufficient for every need and ever trial. That is the promise of God and that is the hope of the saints!

Facts About God's Love

WHAT ARE THE FACTS ABOUT GOD'S LOVE

1 John 4:7-12

There is nothing like the love of God! It is the most overwhelming thing I have ever encountered in my life. It is the greatest thing God ever did for any of us! The reason I can say that is this, because He loved us, He was moved to do everything else that He has done. John's epistle has a 4-fold purpose.

That our joy might be full. (1:4)

That we might not sin. (2:1)

That we might know that we have eternal life. (5:13)

That we ourselves might love others.(4:11)

1 John is the great book of love. It is mentioned 46 times in 135 verses. It was written to combat a heresy known as Gnosticism. The Gnostic believed that knowledge was power. They felt that they had a special knowledge of God and His ways. John is writing to put them into their place! And, as he does, he tells the rest of us about a great God with a great love for great sinners.

What Are The Facts About God's Love.

1. vs 7-11 THIS LOVE IS DESCRIBED IN THE CONTEXT

A. It Is Unspeakable - I can't understand it, or why, but I know I have experienced it and I can never be separated from it - Rom 8:38-39

B. It Is Unending - Jer. 31:3…I have loved you with an everlasting love!  God's love is eternal!

C. It Is Unselfish - It asks for nothing in return! However, it leads man to repent and turn to God in love - Rom 2:4; 1 John 4:19- We love him because He first loved us!

D. It Is Unmerited - Cannot be earned or deserved! (Is based in His grace!)

E. It Is Unconditional - It is not based on what we can or cannot produce, it comes from the heart of God. Man can never reach a place when he will not be loved by God!

F. His love is Supernatural, it is Sacrificing, it is Satisfying!

2. vs10 THIS LOVE WAS DEMONSTRATED AT CALVARY

A. God's love can never be fully understood, but it can be seen! It is best seen at the cross!

B. He Stood In The Gap - 2 Cor. 5:21- For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him!………….HE TOOK YOUR PLACE!

C. He Saved Us From Hell - It is His death on the cross that opened the door of salvation for every sinner who will come to God. 1 Pet. 1:18-19;

  Eph. 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace!; Col. 1:14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. Rev 1:5 To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood!

Thank God for the Blood of the Lord Jesus!!!!!

3. vs11-12 THIS LOVE IS DISPLAYED IN THE CHRISTIAN

A. It will be visible if it is possessed!

B. Throughout the Bible, there have been men who demonstrated God's love:

1. Forgiving Love - Joseph - Gen. 45:1-8……lied about, sold as a slave, ripped from his home and father, falsely accused. put in prison, waiting waiting waiting all because of his jealous brothers!……..YET HE STILL FORGAVE…………………What’s your hangup?

2. Redeeming Love - Hosea - Hos. 3:1-3…wife named Gomer…..a prostitute….yet!!….what redeeming love!

3. Compassionate Love – Peter denied Him ..lied about Him…..Yet Jesus still used him!

4. Healing Love Me...angry…bitter…jealous...burning with lust…Yet Jesus still reached down and picked me up out of the sewer! Psa103:1-4

C. God’s love in the believer will be visible in 5 different areas.

1. Love For The Savior (John 14:15 If you love me keep my commandments!) (Ephesus - Rev. 2:4 you have left your first love!…)

2. Love For The Scriptures……………… (John 5:39)

3. Love For The Sanctuary (Heb. 10:25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another and so much more as you see the day approaching……)

 (David - Psa 122:1 I was glad when they said to me, let us go into the house of the lord!)

4. Love For The Saints (1 John 4:20-21; 1 John 5:1-3) When the saints walk in love, then God will be seen!)

5. Love For The Sinners -. Jesus had a heart for sinners -  (God's love is more than just being loved! It is opening our lives so that the Lord can love through us. So that He can reach a world for Himself.)

We ought to praise the Lord today for His overwhelming love! We can shout, we can run, we can turn flips and act like monkeys, but the best means we have of thanking Him for His love is by letting Him love through our lives and reach others for Jesus.

After The Angles are Gone

    Luke 2 10-20

 1.     Saviour to Praise vs 20

a.     For His Person

b.     For His Past

c.      For His Present

d.     For the Prospect of His Return

2.     Story to Proclaim vs16-20

a.     Their Experience

b.     Their Excitement

c.      The Effect on them

3.     Service to Perform vs19

     a.     Mary’s Duty as a mother

1)     Feed – Right & Regular

2)     Fresh Clothing – Clean

3)     Fit Dwelling – Place to live

b.     Mary’s Devotion as a mother

c.      Mary’s Delight as a mother

 

 

What Child is This?

Matt. 22:42

A hymn sung a lot at this time of the year is titled, "What Child is This?" That's a very important question. Some people called Jesus the son of David, the subject of our text.  Others called him the son of Joseph. That was a mistake. The Bible points out the difference between the physical relationship of Joseph and Mary to the Lord in Luke 2:33 (in the King James Bible; most other newer "perversions" butcher the verse). 

The Bible calls Him

            1. The son of David

            2. The son of Mary

            3. The son of Man

            4. The Son of God 

I want to look at those four titles, of which variations are given in scripture, and point out four different aspects of the Christ-child. 

 

 I. As The Son Of David, He Was The Sovereign Child 

Mat 1:1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 

Luk 1:31-33 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 

     A. He was the rightful king 

     B. He was the rejected king 

     C. He is the RETURNING king! Amen!  

 II. As The Son Of Mary, He Was The Supernatural Child 

Mar 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.    Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 

     A. This birth was seemingly impossible 

     B. This birth was stedfastly investigated

        1. By Joseph    2. By the shepherds    3. By the wise

        4. By Herod     5. By angels     6. By the devil     7. By God Almighty 

     C. This birth was supremely important  

III. As The Son Of Man, He Was The Servant Child 

Mat 9:6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. 

Phi 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 

As the SERVANT child, the Lord Jesus Christ 

     A. Shared the problems of the flesh

        1. Physical weariness

        2. Hunger and thirst

        3. Physical pain      However, He never SINNED! 

     B. Submitted to the purpose of the Father 

     C. Showed a pattern for us to follow

        1. Obedience

        2. Patience

        3. Ministry to others 

 

 IV. As The Son Of God, He Was The Saviour Child 

Mat27:54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. 

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.   As the Son of God 

     A. He was the only sinless man who ever lived 

     B. He was the only sacrifice that could TAKE AWAY sins 

     C. He is the only Savior who can take you to heaven -  Jn. 14:6!!

Christian and His Concern

DAN 3:1; 5; 12

I. As the end gets closer, the days will get darker.

How will the devil try to manipulate and squeeze you? Through . .    

            A. Emotional Enticement

                        1. The music of adultery, drugs, death

                        2. Love or Lust? Who can tell?          

            B.  Social Inducement

                        Going against the tide . . .

            C. Governmental Enforcement

            D. Spiritual Defilement

                        1. Satan doesn't want causalities; he wants converts.

                        2. We are looked upon as un-American if we don't  

accept everyone's religion. 

II. As the days gets darker, the saints need to shine brighter.  Dan 3:13 -

Pressure to conform presents opportunities to stand. Why did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stand?

            A. They had a settled faith. My mind is made up!

B. They had a strong faith. Dan 3:17

C. They had a steadfast faith. 3:18

                        1.Hebrews ll:32-39--and others were tortured.

2. "Faith is not as much receiving from God what you desire as it is accepting from od what He gives."

                        3. Rom 8:35-39  

III. When the saints shine brighter, the world sees clearer. Dan 3:24-25 -       

A. Cleansing of the Saints - "The only thing that the fire burned off  them was what the world put on them."

B. Company of the Savior - "Jesus did not come to get you out of trouble. He came to get into trouble with you."

            C. Conviction of the Sinner -- Dan3:28