MESSAGES

Note: The purpose of posting messages is to make them available to those who may not be able to attend service. Maybe when we get to Heaven we will meet someone who read a message and accepted Christ as Savior!! Cool by me!!

ONE NATION UNDER GOD?
Prov. 14:34; Psalm 33:12
Source: Dr. Larry L. Thompson, Pastor, First Baptist Church Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Note: The following message is Dr. Thompson’s with some editing of dates and phrases to make it current. It is a beautiful message and deserves posting. Thank you Dr. Thompson for a great message. The best compliment would be for us to apply it to our lives.

'If we ever forget that we're One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.' Also by.. Ronald Reagan

In case we find ourselves starting to believe all the Anti-American sentiment and negativity, we should remember England 's Prime Minister Tony Blair's words during a recent interview. When asked by one of his Parliament members why he believes so much in America , he said: 'A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many want in.. And how many want out.'

Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you:
1. Jesus Christ
2. The American G. I.

One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

Quotation Sources: Internet

Proverbs 14:34
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.”
Psalm 33:12
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.”

INTRODUCTION:
Wednesday, June 26, 2002, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of appeals ruled the citing of the Pledge of Allegiance in public school is unconstitutional because the phrase “one nation under God” is an “endorsement of religion.” If this ruling stands then it will be unconstitutional for children in nine states to pledge their allegiance to the flag of the United States.
Once again we hear the dictates of liberal jurists dismantling not only our constitutional right but our national heritage. Judge Alfred Goodwin writes, “The pledge sends a message to non-religious students that they are outsiders.” Well guess what Judge? 98% of Americans polled said they believe in God. I hate to be the one to break the news to you but you are an outsider!
Perhaps we will witness in this latest attack on our nation’s spiritual heritage the reality of the Word of God where scripture teaches, “You meant this for evil but God has used it for good.” I have NEVER seen this nation so united against a judicial ruling as what we witnessed on this ruling. Whenever the Senate votes 99-0 on anything it is time to take notice. The House also followed suit in a unanimous vote. The President called the ruling “ridiculous judicial junk” and he was joined by the leader of the left wing Senator Ted Kennedy and Sen. Diane Fienstien from the People’s Republic of California calling for the ruling to be overturned. However, the unity doesn’t just stop in the political arena…when have you ever heard of Jerry Falwell, Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson all being united on any issue?

In spite of this national uproar I am going to ask one question that I have not heard asked this past week. “Is Justice Goodwin in some strange and perverted way actually prophetic in stating that we are not “a nation under God”?

This morning I intend to ask you to join with me in the examination of scripture to determine if the judicial ruling by Justice Goodwin may actually be what God will use to restore our spiritual heritage and awaken we believers who have slumbered through the past forty years of the systematic removal of the presence of the Lord our God from our nation’s fiber.

I. REVIEW AMERICA’S INDEPENDENCE
“Righteousness exalts a nation…” (Prov. 14:34a)

Righteousness among any group of people has a very beneficial effect. Righteousness—is translated as people living by just and godly principles that produce just and godly actions.
Exalts—literally means in the Hebrew language “raises to honor.” The word exalts means “to lift up,” used here in a moral sense. It literally means that when the nation is a righteous nation then that nation will be honored among many and lifted up before all.
So how does an individual or a nation become righteous? Examine: Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Understand three principles regarding “Righteousness”
• We are not righteous by nature…we are sinners.
• We do NOT become righteous by being good
• We are made righteous through Jesus Christ. 2 Cor. 5:21 “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
Our forefathers understood righteousness. They knew that righteousness was the catalyst to give birth to this nation of people looking for freedom and liberty. They knew that just as CHRIST paid the price for our liberty that they too would pay for LIBERTY. Liberty and freedom ALWAYS EXACTED A PRICE. That’s what the 4th of July is all about---remembering the price that was paid for our freedom.

Our nation was first settled by people who came to these shores looking to express their religious faith. They weren’t trying to get away from something, they were trying to find something, and they were looking for the freedom to worship. You all are familiar, of course, with the Pilgrims who came there to Plymouth Rock on the Mayflower. Just as they landed, they joined together in what is called the Mayflower Compact in 1620. These are the words of the Mayflower Compact:

“In the name of God, amen. Having undertaken for the glory of God and for the advancement of the Christian faith, do solemnly and mutually in the presence of God, covenant and combine ourselves together.”

Those settlers wrote: "We came here for the glory of God, and for the advancement of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In 1643, just about 23 years later, as more and more people came to the shores and up in New England, they formed a confederation called The New England Confederation; this was the first written constitution, of groups meeting together in 1643. The New England Confederation Constitution began:

“Whereas we all came into these parts with one and the same end and aim, namely to advance the kingdom of our lord Jesus Christ, and to enjoy the liberties of the gospel in purity and peace.”
America was founded by men and women who acknowledged God’s supreme rule over our lives. They were looking for HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS TO EXALT THIS NATION!

They weren’t perfect. They weren’t all fundamentalist Christians, but they all to a man acknowledged that God was the supreme ruler over man and over government.

Take a moment and read again the Declaration of Independence that was signed on July 4, 1776. Most of you are familiar with the prologue that says,
“We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal and are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights that among them are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

They didn’t say happiness. They said "the pursuit of happiness." You know why? Because these founders were wise. They acknowledged that these rights: life, liberty, and pursuing happiness, came from God. It does not come from human government. It comes from God and they acknowledged it and that’s why they said on the next line, “. . . and that to secure or protect these rights, governments are instituted among men.” They’re saying, “WE WANT THE FORM OF GOVERNMENT WHOSE JOB IS TO PROTECT AND TO GUARD WHAT THE CREATOR HAS GIVEN TO EACH ONE OF US.”

As you read the Declaration of Independence, you discover what follows the prologue are about 15 or 16 charges against King George of Britain, but as they come to the final, the closing, the therefore part, they make two more references to God. “We therefore, the representatives of the United States of America in general congress assembled appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World for the rectitude of our intentions.” They said, “We’re appealing to you, England, declaring our independence, but we’re also appealing mainly to the Supreme Judge of the World, God himself.” And then, the very last line of the Declaration of Independence is this, “And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence.” Divine means God. God’s protection and Providence, we mutually pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.

I’ve seen a painting of the first Continental Congress. And many of you have heard the story of how they were discussing and they were debating about how the Declaration of Independence would be written. And finally, Ben Franklin stood and said, “Gentlemen, if it is true that not one single petal from any flower falls to the ground without escaping God’s attention, will the distress of this nation go unheeded? Let us therefore determine to seek His face.”
At that suggestion 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence all went to their knees as one man and began to pray and seek the wisdom of God.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful today if our congress would go to their knees in prayer, wouldn’t it be wonderful today if the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and every other court including our Supreme Court, would just get on their knees like our forefathers did and say, “Almighty God, what do you want for this nation?”

Last Friday we celebrated “Independence Day.” It all began 232 years ago, when on July 4th, 1776, 56 brave men signed the document known as “The Declaration of Independence.”
Do you have any idea what price these men paid for the independence to live in a nation built on the Righteousness of God?
• Five were captured and tortured by the British before they died.
• Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned to the ground.
• Two lost their sons in the war.
• One had two sons captured.
• Nine fought and died from wounds or the hardships of the war.
• Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British navy. He sold his home to pay his debts and died in rags.
• Thomas McKean was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in Congress without pay and he died in poverty.
• Thomas Nelson’s home was seized by the British at the Battle of Yorktown and used as a command post. He urged General George Washington to open fire on it. The home was destroyed and Nelson died bankrupt.

Folks, it is absolutely imperative that we revisit and review our nation’s birth and history so that we understand this scripture, “Righteousness exalts a nation…”

Listen to the voice of our founding fathers and here the spiritual commitment in what they say:
John Quincy Adams who would become President said later in 1821 about the Declaration of Independence. He said:
“From the time of the Declaration of Independence, the American people were bound by the laws of God and the laws of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which they all acknowledge as the root of their conduct. We all came together to obey the word of God.”
George Washington Farewell Address to Nation:
“Do not let anyone claim tribute of American patriotism if they even attempt to remove religion from politics.”
Patrick Henry:
“It cannot be emphasized too strongly or to often that this great nation was founded not but religionists but by Christians, not on religion but on the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
President Thomas Jefferson in an address to Danbury Baptist:
“The 1st amendment has created a wall of separation between church and state, but that wall is a one directional wall, it keeps the government from running the church, but it makes sure that Christian principles will always stay in government.”

The RIGHTEOUSNESS of our government is even patterned after Biblical principles!
Do you know where the framers of our nation got the idea of three branches of government? Remember that we have an Executive Branch, we have a Legislative Branch that makes laws, and we have a Judicial Branch. Open your Bible, write this reference down: Isaiah 33:22. “For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; it is he who will save us.”
Isaiah 33:22 which refers to God in those same three aspects as our government. “For the Lord is our Judge [that’s judicial], our Lawgiver [that’s legislative], and our King [that’s executive]. It is He who will save us.” And when the framers of our government got together and said, “How can we best organize our government?” They looked to the word of God for the wisdom needed and for His righteousness.

You go to Europe today and you find that the churches are still subsidized by the state, controlled by the state. That’s why they’re stone cold dead. When the people in many of European nations pay their taxes, part of that tax money is going to keep those churches running. And the founders of our country said, “That’s wrong, we don’t want to do that.” And so they followed a biblical concept that was totally foreign to any government in the world and in the history of the world. They said, “We want to make the church separate from the government and we want to keep the church exempt from taxation by the government.” Where did they get this concept? Examine Ezra 7:24: “You are also to know that you have no authority to impose taxes, tribute or duty on any of the priests, Levites, singers, servants, or other workers at this house of God.” That is a right that our forefathers discovered in the Bible and said, "Let’s make it a part of our government." I’m here to tell you I’m glad that America formed our government based upon the word of God for our forefathers KNEW: “RIGHTEOUSNESS EXALTS A NATION!”
Having reviewed America’s Independence we now turn our attention to the pressing need for all of us who call this nation home. We must…

II. REPENT OF AMERICA’S INDIFFERENCE
“…but sin is a disgrace to any people.” (Prov. 14:34b)

“But sin” among the nation’s people has an adverse, destructive effect. It is a disgrace, “reproach,” a word used only here and in Lev. 20:17 which refer to a family member revealing the nakedness of another member of the family. Though people, or even a nation, may seem to be getting away with sin, ultimately it catches up with them and shames them.
SIN=missing the mark of God’s standard for His people. Very simply, SIN IS DISOBEYING GOD. SIN is beyond our ability to CURE. SIN WILL ALWAYS FIND YOU OUT. That leads to the disgrace.
“IS A DISGRACE”—EXPOSED IN OPENNESS AND BRINGS ON THEM THE ILL-WILL OF OTHERS. COMPARE PROVERBS 13:6: “RIGHTEOUSNESS GUARDS THE MAN OF INTEGRITY, BUT WICKEDNESS OVERTHROWS THE SINNER.”

Let’s do some review as to where our nation has fallen from righteousness to sin.
We didn’t have a “pledge” to our flag until a man by the name of Francis Bellamy, who was on the magazine staff for a boys and girl’s periodical entitled, “The Youth Companions” introduced the idea in 1890.
It was then President Benjamin Harrison who proclaimed the first use of the original pledge on October 12, 1892 during Columbus Day observance in public schools:
“I pledge allegiance to my flag and to the republic for which it stands; one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
The words “my flag” were changed to “the flag of the United States of America” by an amendment adopted on Flag Day, June 14, 1924.
Then in 1954 the Congress of United States jointly amended the pledge with the words, “under God.” President Dwight D. Eisenhower said as he signed this amendment, “This shows the transcendence of religious faith in America’s heritage and in her future.”
It was finally spoken as “Our Pledge of Allegiance” for the first time on June 14, 1954, Flag Day on the steps of the Capital in Washington.
“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands: one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
It has remained our Nation’s Pledge up until last Wednesday when the 9th Circuit ruled it to be unconstitutional.

Should we really be surprised? For it was less than a decade after our own Government added the phrase, “under God” that some Americans began to do everything legally within their power to remove GOD’S presence and GOD’S character from our nation.
• In 1963 the Supreme Court first took out prayer in schools
• The next ruling removed the Bible readings from our classrooms
• They then took the 10 Commandments off the walls of all schools and public buildings Later it was ruled that students can not pray at graduation.
• The Court ruled that there is a certain segment of our society that does not have equal rights, the unborn. Today a million abortions a year are preformed.
• A young woman that wrote a term paper on the life of Jesus in an assignment, “The man I admire the most” was given an “F” because her teacher said, “It was unacceptable in public school.” Tragically, the ruling was upheld in the courts.
• NOW we have yet another systematical removal of God’s presence with the 9th Circuit ruling that our pledge us unconstitutional because of the reference to God.

Next the godless of our society will challenge our money, our prayers that open the Supreme Court and the House and Senate and within a matter of time we will have regressed to the undeniable reality “…but sin is a disgrace to any people.”

HOW THEN HAS SIN DISGRACED OUR NATION? REMEMBER “DISGRACE” MEANS TO BRING INTO THE OPEN, TO BRING DOWN…
• 1 of 2 marriages end in divorce with medium age for divorce 34 for men 30 for women
• In 1960 a woman was the sole provider of her home in only 1 of 10 households with no husband present. Today it is 1 of 5.
• Gallup reports that there are enough students between the ages of 12-18 to fill the Rose Bowl, Cotton Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl and Fiesta Bowl that are involved in some type of prostitution to support an addiction to illegal drugs.
• One million girls under the age of 17 will get pregnant outside of wedlock with half of those pregnancies ending in abortion.
• 40% of America’s 14 year-old girls will be pregnant before their 19th birthday.
• Almost 60% of evangelical Christian students ages 12-18 are sexually active
• 66% of America’s students have reported to use illegal drugs or alcohol.
• Child abuse is up 240% in America since 1976.
• Corruption and Conviction of public officials is up 450% since 1973
• Sexual abuse of children is up 1,375% since 1962
• America has the highest illiteracy rate of all the industrialized nations in the world.
• Parents actually had to debate and vote to approve a School Superintendent’s decision to fire a teacher who was appearing in gay pornographic films. This decision was followed by the teacher’s attorney saying, “It’s important to remember my client has committed no crime and absolutely no illegal act. We are talking about his freedom and we will appeal this action before an administrative judge.” HIS FREEDOM? Is this really what our forefather’s fought to preserve?
Rachel Joy Scott was one of the victims of the Columbine massacre in which two teenage boys went on a killing spree in their High School looking first for followers of Lord by asking the question, “Do you believe in God?” Rachel’s father, Donald Scott spoke before the United States Senate and he said the following:
“I’m here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy, it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies. Much of that blame lies here in this room. Much of that blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. Mr. Scott said. "I wrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses my feelings. This poem was written before I knew that I would be speaking here today.”

     Here’s his poem:
     Your laws ignore our deepest needs
     Your words are empty air.
     You’ve stripped away our heritage
     You’ve outlawed simple prayer.
     Now gunshots fill our classrooms
     And our precious children die.
     You seek for answers everywhere
     And you ask the question why.
     You regulate restrictive laws
     Through legislative creed.
     And yet you fail to understand
     That God is what we need!
Author: Donald Scott
We have seen the heart of our founding fathers as we reviewed America’s fight for independence. We have seen how our nation has fallen from its godly principles and how we are a people who need to repent of our indifference. Finally, there is but on action that America’s men and women of God must take, and that is to…

III. RECLAIM AMERICA’S INSPIRATION
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.” (Psalm 33:12)
“Blessed is the nation”—the idea here is, that the nation referred to is happy, or content, or that its condition is desirable for all. What is true of a nation is also as true of an individual.
“Whose God is the Lord”—Whose God is Yahweh—for so this is in the original Hebrew. This reads, “The nation which worships Yahweh is under his protection.” This is evidently said to distinguish such a nation from those which worshipped false gods or idols. Such a nation is blessed or happy, because:
(a) He is a real God, the true God, not manmade, imagination or fiction
(b) Because His laws are just and good, and their observance will always tend to promote the public welfare and prosperity;
(c) Because His protection will be provided to such a nation; and
(d) Because His worship, and the influence of our faith in Him, will tend to promote virtue, intelligence, purity, and truth, over a land, and thus will promote the welfare of the nation.

How can we reclaim the inspiration and the power of God that was so obviously directing our founding fathers? The answer lies in us in this room today, those who are listening to this message or reading these words. If you claim to be a man or woman of God you must act on that faith, you must live in the righteousness of Christ and you must stand and fight once again for the freedom that was purchased for us by those who gave their lives! What can you do?
• You can personally repent of sin and commit your life to Christ
• If you are a Christian you can quit riding the fence, CHOOSE YOU THIS DAY WHOM YOU WILL SERVE
• You can pray for our nation and her leaders
• You can insist that we not allow a liberal, atheistic minority to rob us of our spiritual heritage.
• You can live your life in a manner that reflects your trust in our living God

A generation ago another great American was standing for freedom and righteousness. Dr. Martin Luther King gave his most memorable address entitled “I Have a Dream.” As I contemplated this message I would conclude with these words…

“I TOO HAVE A DREAM!”

I too have a dream that those who claim to be children of God, redeemed by Christ, will declare their faith without fear or shame and live a life that matches their profession.

I too have a dream that America will one day realize that we can not change man by simply changing his environment but understanding that it is a work of God in man’s heart that effects an eternal change in man’s life.

I too have a dream that the people of God would destroy the walls men have created to divide us and join hands and hearts to show the unified power and love that is ours as followers of Jesus Christ.

I too have a dream that one day in our great nation there will be such a spiritual renewal and awakening that we won’t have to worry about prayer in our schools because the witness in our homes will produce godly young men and women that will impact their schools, our neighborhoods, our cities, our states and our nation with His righteousness.

I too have a dream that one day America will repent of our national sin in killing the unborn child.

I too have a dream that revival will spread across this land reaching into every community so that the LIGHT of the LORD will be seen from America and HIS light will go into all the world.

I too have a dream that the men and women who aspire to serve this nation would run for office from a conviction that as God has made a difference in their lives and they can now serve the people in moral purity, truth, conviction and righteousness.

I too have a dream that our families will be restored and protected and we will seek to strengthen our homes with godly men who are filled with God’s Spirit and understand their role as spiritual leaders.

I too have a dream that God would give this nation divine wisdom to understand the schemes of our enemy! Wisdom to know that if allowing children to view pornography on the internet is judged a constitutional right, then give us godly judges that will rightly interpret our constitution.

I too have a dream that the Church, God’s CHURCH IN AMERICA will once again rise up, awake from her slumber and become the moral and spiritual voice of the community where people will look for comfort, inspiration, direction and moral leadership.

I too have a dream that the churches of America will be filled once again and that there would be a great hunger for God’s Word that will increase across this land.

I too have a dream that America will return to the faith of our Founding Fathers. Yes, I too have a dream. A dream that this world will once again say of these United States of America…

“BLESSED IS THE NATION WHOSE GOD IS THE LORD…”

---End---

6-29-2008 Freedom Unused is Freedom Lost

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

Devotional: Freedom Unused is Freedom Lost

Scripture: John 18:31-36

³¹To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. ³²Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

³³They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”

³⁴Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. ³⁵Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. ³⁶So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

J ust words declared our freedom long ago,
U ntouched by time, untenanted by will,
L eaning to the winds that eastward blow,
Y earning for their independence still.
T here was no truth in them, not even then,
H arbingers of hope long since betrayed,
E ver the disguise of gentlemen,
F ashion for a yearly masquerade.
O judge them harshly, for they are but lies,
U nworthy of the dream that gave them birth!
R egard not their pretensions, but their ties
T o those who would be lords upon the earth,
H ard souls as ever mouthing freedom's cries.

Source: http://www.poemsforfree.com/justwo.html

Do you understand that the above poem is basically calling the founding fathers and their efforts at Freedom Hall, July 4, 1776 a fraud and a hoax?

If we don’t uphold and support our nation, those who would destroy it are encouraged to do their worst.

God bless America!! May God keep us free. May God keep us vigilant.

6-22-2008 Bowling is Next to Godliness? Or Blessed is The Man Whose Delight is in the Law of the Lord!

Speaking Points Source: Smith, James E.: The Wisdom Literature and Psalms. Joplin, Mo. : College Press Pub. Co., 1996

Scripture: Psalms 1

Psalm 1

¹Blessed is the man

who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked

or stand in the way of sinners

or sit in the seat of mockers.

²But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

³He is like a tree planted by streams of water,

which yields its fruit in season

and whose leaf does not wither.

Whatever he does prospers.

⁴Not so the wicked!

They are like chaff

that the wind blows away.

⁵Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,

nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

⁶For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,

but the way of the wicked will perish.

Introduction

The first psalm is anonymous. David is most likely the author. Ps 1 has two main divisions:

(1)The prosperity of the righteous (vv. 1–3); and (2) the insecurity of the wicked (vv. 4–6).

Speaking Points:

1. The prosperity of the righteous (vv. 1–31:1.

1:1 Sin takes a downward course.

Adoption of the principles of the wicked (“walked in the counsel of wicked men”) leads to persistence in the practices of notorious offenders (“stood in the way of sinners”).

This in turn leads to deliberate association with those who openly mock at faith (“sit in the seat of the scorners.”).

1:2. True happiness is to be found not in ways of man’s own devising, but in the revealed will of God.

1:3. The righteous person is like a well-watered and firmly-rooted tree, nourished by the supply of grace drawn from constant communion with God through the word.

2. The insecurity of the wicked (vv. 4–6).

1:4. The wicked are like chaff, i.e., worthless and liable to be swept away by every passing breeze.

1:5. The real character of the wicked shall be manifested in God’s judgment.

There the chaff shall be separated from the wheat (cf. Matt 3:12).

Forever the wicked are separated from the people of God.

The teaching of the psalm is grounded in the providence of God.

Closing:

Divine knowledge involves approval, care and guidance.

His help
by Daniël Fiks © 2005

I am in trouble, do you heed
Help me O Lord and give what I need
While faith is strong, I'm bound to do wrong.
I thrust in You, love of my life
For You will rescue me out of trouble and strife.
I thank You for who You are and the things You do.
Who else than You Will help me
I ask, Who?

6-15-2008 Fatherhood is Next to Godliness

Scripture: Matthew 7:7- 12 Emphasis vs 11b

Ask, Seek, Knock

⁷“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

⁹“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! ¹²So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

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Humor: Mistaken Identity

One day, one of my first-grade students, Taylor, asked his grandmother if he was a child of God. “Why, of course you are, Taylor,” she replied. He looked puzzled, then responded, “Well I better get home and tell Mom and Dad—they think I’m theirs!”

—Mary De Guzman, Greenville, SC. Today’s Christian Woman, “Heart to Heart.”

The Foundation Is the Home

The Christian home is the most important institution in the world. That does not minimize the position of the church and state; they also have been ordained of God. But He places the home first—in time as well as in importance. It is the foundation upon which all other institutions are built; upon it the church and state will either stand or fall. What the homes are, the churches and schools are—and the government will be. Every place where there has been a neglect of home responsibility, there eventually has been a crumbling of the nation.

—Wesley L. Gustafson

Father Holding the Rope

On a dangerous cliff stood a little company of rescuers planning how they might let someone down over the precipice to search for one who was lost and carry to him the rope with which he might be rescued. They wanted to use a little shepherd lad, but he drew back unwilling to go until he saw his father coming, when he said: “Yes, I will go if father holds the rope.” We need not hesitate to go down into the depths of this world to try and find and save the lost as long as we know that our Father holds the rope. He will supply the strength to keep us and bring us back safely.

Speaking Points:

Introduction

Daddy, I love you

Daddy, I love you
For all that you do.
I'll kiss you and hug you
'Cause you love me, too.
You feed me and need me
To teach you to play,
So smile 'cause I love you
On this Father's Day.

~© Nicholas Gordon~

1. Ask, Seek, & Knock so you can Receive, Find & Open the Door.

2. God the Father Knows How to Give Good Gifts…so ASK!

3. After we receive, let’s treat others as we would like to be treated…in honor of our Father.

Conclusion

You taught me how to love you

You taught me how to love you by
The way that you loved me;
And by your unseen sustenance,
To see what you could see.
You gave to me through who you were
The gift of what I am.
Your pride in me is now my pride;
Your faith, my caravan.
Your life does not conclude with death,
Nor will it end with mine,
For all the lives I touch, you touch,
And so on through all time.

^{^[1]} The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Mt 7:7-12

6-8-2008 Golfing is Next to Godliness

Scripture: Matthew 7: 13 – 14 (NIV)

The Narrow and Wide Gates

13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Speaking Points:

Introduction

Will you permit me to say that the narrow road that leads to life is the fairway?

1. Most of us here today have found the narrow way the fairway…thank God…rather He has shown us that way and we’ve taken it.

Like we would playing Golf we need to work hard to remain on the fairway

Avoid the Traps and Ruffs that Would Veer us Off Course and Penalize us.

2. What about those who have not found the narrow way…the fairway?

Tough for them?

Our Responsibilities as Those Who Have Found the Fairway to Those Who Haven’t Yet.

Closing

If we were playing golf success would be getting the little ball in the hole…18 times. Our reward is a celebration and maybe a great meal in the club house.

There are also stages of success on the narrow course and an ultimate victory celebration and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb in God’s exclusive club house. You have to be a member to get in.

The name of the club house is New Jerusalem.

6-01-2008 Baseball is Next to Godliness

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 Emphasis verse 12.

One Body, Many Parts

¹²The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. ¹³For we were all baptized byone Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

¹⁴Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. ¹⁵If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. ¹⁶And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. ¹⁷If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? ¹⁸But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. ¹⁹If they were all one part, where would the body be? ²⁰As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

²¹The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” ²²On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, ²³and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, ²⁴while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, ²⁵so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. ²⁶If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

²⁷Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Speaking Points

Indtroduction

1. Baseball Teams Win Because of:

Individual & Team Training – Discipline – Effort – Sacrifice -- Accomplishment.

2. The Body of Christ Wins Because of:

Individual & Team Training – Discipline – Effort – Sacrifice – Accomplishment

Closing:

Go Team!! Go Body of Christ!! Win one for the Gipper (God)…one soul…or two…or many.

Man your position. Stand your ground. Swing for the fences. Defend/protect those who need defending. Support the Team! Send us in coach! We’re ready to play today!!