A&D Biker Ministries "Growing the Kingdom of God . . . one Biker at a time"

 

 

08/30/25

Pastor Ken Jones

Paul’s I Am Declarations in Romans 1:14-32​

Paul makes Three I Am statements in this chapter that fall naturally into three points:

  1. First of all, he says, “I am debtor…” to the Greeks and Barbarians, both to the wise and to the unwise.  V. 14
  1. Here Paul says that he is a debtor to two different and distinct groups.
  2. He knew that he had been called to preach to and reach these people.
  3. The Greeks were intelligent, learned people. They loved to study philosophy.
  4. The Barbarians were course, rough and unlearned.
  5. Paul’s Specific calling was to be an apostle to the Gentiles.  This was a complete 180-degree different direction from his former life as Pharisee in which he had been taught the nuances of the Law of Moses at the feet of some of the most esteemed Rabbis in Judaism.
  6. Is God calling you and me to maybe share the good news of the gospel with someone that we wouldn’t normally interact with?
  7. Sometimes we may think that bikers are a hard group to reach, but I have found that under the rough or tough exterior, there is often a tender side, which can respond to caring and compassionate concern for them as we share the Gospel and tell them of God’s love that provided redemption and salvation if they accept and believe,
  1. Secondly, Paul says, “…I am ready to preach the gospel…”  V.15 
  1. Paul shares a qualifying statement, “So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach or proclaim the gospel…”
  2. How much readiness is in you and I to proclaim the gospel?  Are you ready?
  3. The Gospel is the power (i.e. Dunamis- Greek) unto Salvation.”  V.16 
  4. Paul makes this clear here, the gospel is powerful! The gospel is life changing
  5. Under inspiration, he writes, “to the Jew first”, and ‘also to the Greek”.
  6. Paul had a natural heartfelt burden for his own people or countrymen as we read in Romans 10:1- “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.”  Is there anyone that God has put on your heart to be saved? Are you praying for them and seeking to witness to them? 
  1. Thirdly, Paul states, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ” V.16.  The Gospel contains: 
  1. Power- Just what impotent (powerless) people need.  We cannot save ourselves. We are powerless to affect redemption for our souls. 
  1. Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves: It is the gift of God: Not of works lest any man should boast.”
  2. Titus 3:5 – “Not of works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” 
  1.  Righteousness- Just what iniquitous people need! 
  1. Notice, “the righteousness of God is revealed” God has revealed it to us.
  2. “The just shall live by faith” This phrase is used several times in scripture.
  3. If you don’t have the righteousness of God which is only acquired through faith in Jesus Christ, you will face the wrath of God one day in judgment.
  4. The wrath of God is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.”
  5. To this phrase, “because what may be known of God is manifest in them,” Blaise Pascal, the mathematician and philosopher of the 1600’s said, “there is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every person, which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only God, the creator.”
  6. You see, God has given to every person two revelations about Himself:
  1. The first is Creation – the External witness; that which can seen in the created world, in nature.  Romans 1:19-20
  2. The second Conscience – The Internal witness inside each person. Romans 2:15
  1. These two witnesses are evidence that there is a God; so each person is “without excuse” V. 20
  2. Why are they “without excuse”?  Verse 21 and following has the answer: “Because…when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were they thankful: but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”
  3.  Notice the downward decline to debauchery of someone who defiantly rejects God:
  1. Their heart is darkened. This is easy for someone living in darkness.
  2. They become more foolish- “the fool has said in his heart there is no God” - Psalm 14:1.
  3. They change the character and glory of God into that like corruptible man.
  4. This leads them to defile and dishonor their bodies- i.e. immorality.
  5. They change the truth of God into a lie- e.g. Evolution and Humanism.
  1.  Therefore, “God also gave them up” – (vs. 24,26) to deviant desires.  This leads to increased debauchery and debasement.
  2.  Notice what happens if this persists, “God gave them over to a reprobate mind” – v. 28.  i.e. a mind devoid of conscience- with no moral compass.

 

Romans Chapter two is written regarding the judging man who appears morally upright—"a moral man” who condemns or judges others, but who also commits many of the same things, so he too is inexcusable!2:1-6

 

Summary Conclusion:Are you like Paul, ready to acknowledge the debt that we owe others, who need to hear the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ?

 

Are you ready to proclaim the gospel?Or, are you ready to share your testimony of how you came to faith in Christ?

 

Are you like Paul, unashamed of the gospel, realizing that it is “the power of God unto Salvation” to everyone that believes?

 

08/23/25

Pastor Ken Jones

Humility Before God - James 4:1-10, 13,17

Text Verse:  “God resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble.”  James 4:6

Key Principle: God blesses the humble person.

Application:  It is essentially important that we develop a humble spirit before God.

This spirit of humility will also help us in our relationships with others.is

Introduction: We are called to be the embodiments of humility as Jesus was on this earth.

  1.  Shun the World- As Christians we are not to pattern our lives after the world  
  1. Wars and Fightings- James 4:1,2 (i.e. quarrels, controversies, conflict).
  1. This is not to be understood as literal combat. Rather, James is referring to conflicts that sometimes arise among believers.  Sadly, some churches are known for their in-fighting. This discredits the cause of Christ before the world and makes it difficult to evangelize.
  2. Since this follows James’ words about the tongue, it is likely that the weapons of these fights are not physical but rather harmful words of individuals in the church.
  3. James puts his finger on the root of these quarrelsome conflicts. It is our drive to fulfill selfish desires. “lusts that war in your members” v. 1 The word translated “lusts” is else- where translated “pleasures” (cf. Luke 8:14, Titus 3:3).  It is the desire to please and promote self that often leads to conflict.
  4. When believers have conflicting desires and refuse to relinquish these desires, it often results in fights.  Of course, these Christians were not actually killing each other, but they may have been exhibiting murderous attitudes I John 3:15 says, “Whoever hates his brother is a murder: and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.”
  1.  Asking amiss- James 4:3 Even when these Christians did ask God for things, James’ readers did not always receive what they wanted.
  1. Not all requests that are brought before God’s throne are acceptable. God wants to answer prayer, but it must be according to His will – I John 5:14.
  2. If we ask for something that would not work for God’s glory and our joy, He will not give it to us (John 14:13; 16:24).
  3. The word translated “amiss” comes from a word that means “evilly” or “wickedly,” and could be translated “with wrong motives”.
  4. Asking amiss has it’s roots in selfish praying to fulfill our own desires. Do we pray to please ourselves?  Or, to please God and benefit others?
  5. We all have personal needs and those are certainly acceptable things to pray for. The problem arises when we are only concerned about ourselves and our needs.
  6. Prayers should be offered in view of God’s larger plan for our lives and His purposes in the world.
  1. Friendship with theSubmission  World- James 4:4
  1. Since James was writing to Christians scattered around the region, he was probably not addressing actual “adulterers and adulteresses”, although some of them may have committed these sins before their conversion.
  2. In all likelihood James was using adultery as a symbol of spiritual unfaithfulness, since it is connected with “friendship with the world”.
  3. The Hebrew prophets saw Israel’s apostacy from the true God as spiritual infidelity (Jer. 3:8-9; Hosea 1:2; 4:12; 9:1)
  4. We as Christians are to live holy lives.  To be friendly with the world puts us in the position of being enemies of God.
  5. On the other hand, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” We do not need the world’s acceptance or approval.
  1. Grace to the Humble – James 4:5-6
  1. James was perhaps giving the gist of an Old Testament passage, perhaps Proverbs 3:34,

“…God gives grace to the lowly.”Clearly, God gives greater grace to the humble.

  1. Therefore, we must humble ourselves before the Almighty, for He opposes the proud.

(Prov. 16:5, 18:12)

  1. Conversely, God gives grace and help to the humble, and God is quick to give His help to those who ask for it.
  1. Submit to God- James 4:7-10 
  1. Humbling ourselves to God is the first step in submitting to God.
  2. Submitting to God precedes resisting the devil. We dare not try to oppose Satan without first submitting to God.
  3. Earlier James emphasized our culpability in allowing temptation to lead us into sin- 1:13-15.
  4. Now he stresses the active role we must play in resisting the one who is behind many of our enticements to sin (I Peter5:8-9).
  5. The good news is that if we actively resist the Satan, he will flee from us.
  6. When Christ resisted the devil during his temptation in the wilderness, Satan “departed from him for a season.” Luke 4:13.
  7. Just as happened with Jesus, we can be sure that Satan will return.  But if we have been successful in resisting Satan, we will be stronger the next time he comes.
  8. Like Jesus, we must draw on the resources of God’s word to ward off the fiery darts Satan hurls at us – Ephesians 6:16.
  9. Romans 16:20 tells us that one day, God will finally and fully crush Satan under our feet.
  10. As we resist the devil, we must simultaneously draw near to God. As we draw closer to God, He will draw closer to us.
  11. As Paul told the Athenians, He is “not far from every one of us.” Anyone can reach out to God at any time.
  12. To draw near to God requires that we be cleansed of evil deeds and evil hearts- I John 1:9.
  13. True worship can be accomplished only when we are right with God and one another- Matt. 5:23-24; I John 4:19-21.
  14. James stresses the importance of genuine repentance, seen in weeping and mourning over one’s sins- Matt. 5:4
  15. James was not promoting a “feel good religion” that only stresses the positive aspects of following Christ.  Nor was he promoting endless remorse and self-abasement for the same sins, over and over.  Rather. He instructed us to let our laughter be turned into mourning, and our joy to heaviness (cf. Luke 6:25).
  16. True sorrow over sin leads to repentance, (II Cor. 7:9) which leads to forgiveness and a clear conscience.
  1. Seek God’s Will- James 4:13-17  Avoid the Sin of Presumption.
  1. As human beings we tend to trust ourselves when it comes to the future.  We may have particular plans for a business venture, confident that we will be able to “buy and sell and get gain.”  But the future is not in our hands. Our plans may come to nothing though we may feel certain that success is assured. There are always things that cannot be known or predicted.
  2. Many times we assume that we have control over our lives, but unforeseen things can happen
  3. This was the mistake of the man in the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21). The rich man’s plans quickly evaporated when his life ended without warning.
  4. We may think that pride and presumption are small things, but God says it’s evil.
  1. Submission To The Lord’s Will- James 4:15-16 
  1. Since we do not know the future it is wise to put everything in God’s hands and trust Him with the future.
  2. Not too many people use the expression, “Lord willing” as once was customary, but we would be wise to revive this practice.
  3. To use such a saying reminds us that everything is contingent upon God’s will- Acts 18:21; and   I Corinthians 4:19.
  4. Whether we voice the actual words or not, we should live and conduct ourselves under the acknowledgment that God’s divine purposes are being worked out in our lives.
  5. Whatever happens, we can be assured that the Sovereign God of the universe is in control.
  6. This does not mean that we take a nonchalant, whatever-will-be-will be attitude toward life.
  7. We are reminded in this chapter of James that it is our responsibility to pray (vs. 2) to submit to God (vs. 7), to resist the devil (vs.7), to purify our hearts (vs. 8) and to do good (vs.17).
  8. Since God is in control of the world- not us, any tendency to boast about the future is evil.
  9. We should also be careful of sins of omission. Disobeying God’s commands is one thing, but failing to do good is another. True, “sin is the transgression of the law” (I John 3:4), but to fail to do what is right and good is also sin in God’s sight.  This is the sin of omission.

 

08/16/25

Pastor Ken Jones

PRAYER- A Plea for Prayer with a Proposed Peaceful Result​

Text: I Timothy 2:1-8- From this passage, we read Paul’s plea to pray, and the proposed results of a peaceful, life of godliness and honesty. Verse 8 is a key verse almost like a refrain, “I will (desire) that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”

This is the Apostle Paul’s inspired perspective on prayer. The emphasis is on the importance of prayer as a Christian discipline. The application is to encourage Christians to expand who and what they pray for.

Most Christians believe in prayer, but many do not actually do much praying. This passage should encourage us to intensify our efforts in prayer.

I. Prayer as a Priority – I Timothy 2:1 Prayer is important!

A. Prayer causes things to happen that would not otherwise happen- James 4:2

B. Four types of prayers are mentioned in I Tim. 2:1- “four facets of prayer”

1. Supplications

2. Prayers

3. Intercessions

4. Giving of Thanks- cf. I Thessalonians 5:18

C. Paul stated that prayers should be offered “for all men”

1. He exhorts us to pray for everyone.

2. Do we always feel like praying for everyone?

 

II. Prayer for Government Authorities - I Timothy 2:2-3 cf. Read Romans 13:1-7

A. Should we pray for government authorities that we do not agree with?

B. Paul’s exhortation to pray for leaders- I Tim. 2:2

C. Remember that when Paul wrote I Timothy while Nero was in power.

D. Review or refer to I Peter 4:12:13 which is roughly the same time frame.

E. Jesus prayed, “deliver us from evil” Matt. 6:13

F. How does the request of living a quiet and peaceful life fit into today’s hectic and fast-paced lifestyle?

G. I Tim 2:3 states that such prayer is “good and acceptable”

H. I John 5:14- “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”

 

III. Prayer Rationale – I Timothy 2:4-7

A. As we look at I Tim. 2:4, consider what is the difference between what God wills and what God decrees. Also read II Peter 3:9 and John 14:6

B. Note the fundamental facts of I Tim. 2:5-6

1. “There is one God and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus.”

2. “Who gave Himself a ransom for all…” Discuss the implication of these statements.

3. Verse 7 may imply that some in Timothy’s church might have thought that the gospel applied only to the Jews, but Paul argued otherwise.

 

IV. Prayer Guidelines – I Timothy 2:8

A. Paul referred to the kind of public prayer that should take place in the Christian assembly.

B. Regarding the reference to “lifting up holy hands” vs. 8 In Old Testament times prayers were offered with hands raised (cf. I Kings 8:22; Psalm 28:2).

C. The character of those leading public worship should be above reproach.

D. Those leading public prayer should also pray “without wrath” I Timothy 2:8

E. Why is this important? Because breeches in human relationships affect our ability to relate to God also (cf. I Peter 3:7).

F. The final requirement for prayer is faith (without doubting) Read James 1:6-8.

G. Faithless prayers are ineffective, but prayers of faith are powerful (cf. James 5:15-16).

 

08/09/25

Pastor Ken Jones

Affection For Things Above – Colossians 3:1-17

What do you love? What do really care about? If we’re honest, usually the things that we cherish or care about are the things of this life, this world- which are temporal, fleeting and don’t last – they’re short-lived.

Romans 6:1-5 describes that we who are saved, are buried with Christ in baptism and are raised to walk in newness of life. As such, we are dead to the old sins and things of our life. Coming to Christ, represents a major change.

Many of the attitudes, actions and affections that seemed normal in our past life are no longer appropriate. New actions, attitudes and affections become the norm, or at least the ideal.

I. Focus on Higher Things- Colossians 3:1-4

    A. Put your attention on heaven and things above. “Set,” implies a deliberate focus, a controlled attention.

    B. Since we are raised with Christ, “Seek those things which are above.”

    C. Matt. 6:21- Jesus said, “where your treasure is there will your heart be also.”

    D. Consider also I John 2:15-17- “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.” “For all that is in the           world…is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away…”

    E. Reflect on Galatians 2:20, where Paul says that he is “Crucified with Christ.”

    F. Contemplate the great promise in Colossians 3:4.

II. Turn From Your Sinful Past – Colossians 3:5-9

    A. “Mortify” = “Put to death”. It is a strong word. By the way, the sins of verse 5 do not just disappear automatically from a     person’s life when they come to Christ. God expects us to kill those sins.

    B. Look at the list of the sins in verse 5. These sinful practices are to be killed.

    C. Who are the “Children of disobedience’” vs. 6? Romans 5:9 tells us that God’s wrath is focused on those who are not      in Christ.

    D. Colossians 3:7 makes clear that the sins just mentioned in verse 5 should be past tense for the Christian.

    E. Consider I John 3:9

    F. Colossians 3:8-9 tells us somethings that we are to “put off”: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication,     lying. “Put off the old man with his deeds”, and “put on the new man.

III. Put On the New Life- Colossians 3:10-14

    A. Renewal- is to take place in the Chrisian’s life. (Regeneration, born again).

    B. This Renewal is continual- Colossians 3:10

        1. We are renewed in God’ own image.

        2. We are renewed in our knowledge of God- His essence, His works & ways

        3. We are to have a renewed mind- Romans 12:2

    C. List of Positive Character traits that we are to embrace and cultivate: mercy, kindness, humility, meekness,     longsuffering, forbearing= bearing with one another, forgiving = forgiveness. VS. 12-13.

    D. Above all of these, “put on” Love. V. 14

    E. These traits clearly reflect the character of Christ.

IV. Do All In The Name of Christ- Colossians 3:15-17

    A. Notice the “peace of God” is present. We do not have to try to produce this peace in our hearts and lives, we just need to “let the peace of God rule in our hearts.

    B. Philippians 4:4-7- the peace of God will guard and keep your hearts through Christ Jesus. V. 7

    C. Ask how can we let the peace of God to prevail in our lives?

    D. What does having “the word of Christ” dwelling richly within you mean? V. 16

    E. God’s word needs to become such an integral part of our lives that is governs all our lives.

    F. The word of God should permeate each area of our lives and we should be teaching and admonishing one another. It should be included in the songs that we sing. The Grace of God will be manifested through this.

    G. Whatever we do, in word or deed, we should do all in the name of Lord Jesus.

    H. Giving thanks to God the Father should also be a regular practice of our lives.

    I. What “new things” are being exhibited in your life that demonstrate that you are risen with Christ and seeking the things which are above?

    J. What evidence is there in your life that you are “in Christ” and that you are a follower of Jesus Christ?

 

08/02/25

Pastor Ken Jones

A Watchman – On Being a Watchman Text: Ezekiel 33:3-6

 

33:1 “Again the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,

2 Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman:”

3 If when he sees the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;

4 Then whosoever hears the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.

5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.

6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.

The Duties of the Watchman:

  1. He is to Watch- This is the main duty of a watchman- He must be alert, attentive, vigilant- i.e.  to look for danger;  to watch for the encroaching enemy.  There are many dangers all around us in these days that we live.  We must be aware of the enemy- “…the devil as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour.”  I Peter 5:8

The watchman watched from the walls (a high vantage point) above the gates- Isiah 62:6;   II Samuel 18:24;  He watched “on the towers” II Kings 9:17; II Chron. 20:24; Isaiah 21:5-12; Jeremiah 31:6.

  1. He is to Warn-  To sound the Alarm- i.e. blow the trumpet when he sees danger/the enemy
  1. He must take action when he sees the danger.
  2. He must alert others- “the enemy is invading!!!”
  1. We are to be our “brother’s keeper”
  2. We are to care for “one another” cf. Jesus’ commands to love others, to love your neighbor as yourself.  Also, “As you would that men do unto you, do so unto them”.

 

  1. He is to Witness
  1. He is responsible for other’s lives (other souls) and his own life was a stake.
  2. He was accountable to others- i.e. the King and the people. We will give an account our ourselves to the King and Judge one day for our thoughts, our deeds  and actions.

 

 

 

I.    The Personal Responsibility of Being a Watchman- We have the message that can, and will deliver souls from      destruction , and death (the 2nd death), and a destiny in hell.  Romans 1:16; verses on the Second death:  Rev. 2:11; 20:14; 21:8.

A. God has used Deliverers throughout history as recorded in His word- e.g. Moses, Joshua, David.

B.  An example of one who received deliverance, is Rahab (Joshua 2:1,3) . She and her family were not destroyed when Jericho was overtaken; she was delivered – Hebrews 11:31. Rahab and her family are a foreshadowing of those (like the gentiles) who are outside of the covenant promises made to the children of Israel, but are able to be saved by faith and become joint-heirs through Jesus Christ.

C.  Our message, and the Message of Deliverance is, that Jesus Christ was, and is the Greatest Deliverer!

D.  Why do people that are lost need to hear the message of Deliverance that we have?

The Condition of the Lost:  Because they are lost and perishing; they are under the wrath of God; they are condemned already; they are without hope; they are headed to hell; they are dead in trespasses and sins; they are blinded by the Devil.  Christ has provided deliverance, and a remedy for each of these.

They are Lost and perishing- Christ’s deliverance provided:  Matt. 18:11; Luke 19:10; John 3:16

They are under the wrath of God- Christ’s Deliverance offered:  John 3:36

They are condemned already- Christ’s Deliverance from condemnation: John 3:18; Romans 8:1

They are without hope- Christ’s Deliverance: Ephesians 2:12, 13

They are headed to hell- Christ’s Deliverance- Matthew 7:13, 14

They are dead in trespasses and sins- Christ’s Deliverance- Ephesians 2:1

They are blinded by the Devil- Christ’s Deliverance- II Corinthians 4:3, 4

We have the Message of Deliverance, or Salvation- Romans 1:16- “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

II.     The Precious Value of a Soul- Matthew 16:26; Mark8:36-37

  1. What can you give in exchange for your soul?
  2. It cost God everything- His Best- Jesus Christ shed His precious life’s blood, and laid down His life for us.  I Peter 1:18,19; Hebrews 2:9

III      The Pending Judgment awaiting/facing all men- II Corinthians 5:10

  1. The Great White Throne Judgment for the lost- Revelation 20:11-15  The dead, small & great will stand before God, and the books will be opened, and whosoever was not found in the Book of life, was cast into the lake of fire.
  2. The Judgment Seat of Christ-(the Bema Seat Judgment)- II Corinthians 5:10

We will be held accountable for what we do: are we being faithful, are we witnessing & warning others?

We may not WIN them all, but we can certainly try to WARN them All!

 

July 19, 2025

Pastor Ken Jones

The Importance of A Quiet Time with God

I. Why do we need times of personal devotion?

A. Jesus modeled it. Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16

Mark 1:35- “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and

Departed to a solitary place, and there prayed.”

Luke 5:16- “And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.”

B. Paul modeled it. Galatians 1:15-17

Galatians 1:15-17- “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me     by His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen: immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.” (Paul spent time alone with the Lord in Arabia).

C. Jesus commands it. Matthew 6:6,9

Matthew 6:6,9 - “ But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray unto your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” 9) “In this manner, therefore pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your Name.”

1. It is important to have a private, personal time with God- our Father.

2. It is also important to have corporate times of prayer and praise to God.

D. It allows us to focus on our God-Relationship- Matthew 22:37-38

Matt. 22:37-38- “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment.”

E. It gets rid of distractions. Luke 10:41-42

Luke 10:41-42- “And Jesus answered and said unto her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

F. It helps us to be humble. Matthew 6:5

Matt. 6:5- “And when you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.”

G. This “discipline of solitude” may be mystical, as we draw apart from other things and our ordinary routine, God can speak to us in an extraordinary way. To quote Preston Gilham who has written articles on the discipline of solitude, “The goal you hope to realize in practicing the discipline of solitude is an extended conversation with God about your life, your relationship with God, and His vantage point regarding your life together. Your practice is to remove as

many distractions as possible so you can listen with dedicated devotion. The Place, pace, duration, and pattern are important components to consider as you practice spiritual solitude.”

He went on to say, “I’ve discovered that the inclination within me to pull away compliments God’s desire to speak with me. Yes, there may be some experience of silence when I withdraw to the wilderness, but God respects my intentional devotion to create solitude, encourages me in my practice, and speaks because He knows I’m listening intently. “

H. A “Quiet time” is often connected to the discipline of silence.

1. Outward silence may help us to focus. (without interruption)

2. Being silent can remind us of the danger of speech- i.e. saying too much, or the wrong thing- James 1:19-20- “let every; Job 42:7 –God’s anger with Eliphaz and his two friends, “for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.” Also consider James 3:5.

3. Is the practice of inward silence possible or useful?

a. The Bible warns against “vain repetition” and “vain babbling” Matthew 6:7. Intentional silence helps us avoid empty phrases

b. The Bible advocates meditating on scripture, not the absence of thought. Psalm 1:1-2; not emptying our mind, but filling it with God’s word.

II. When should we practice personal devotions?

A. Daily is the Best answer- Matt. 6:9-11; Daniel is an excellent example.

Daniel 6:10- “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.”

B. Some advocate one time or another-AM/PM?

Psalm 5:3- “In the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.”

Lamentations 2:19a- “Arise, cry out in the night: In the beginning of the watches Pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord…”

C. There can be benefit to multiple times! Psalm 55:17

This may be planned according to personal make-up, or personality.

Psalm 55:17- “Evening, and morning and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: And He shall hear my voice.”

D. Choose the best time for you. Maybe your mind is foggy in the morning, or you’re groggy until you get your first cup of coffee.

E. Perhaps you need to vary the time- it’s alright!

F. Or, even the length of time. Matthew 4:1-2; Luke 6:12

Matt. 4:1-2 – “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward a hungered.”

G. But the most important thing is to choose a time!

It is important to think on these things and plan a time.

God wants to meet with you in a personal time of quietness.

 

July 12, 2025

Pastor Ken Jones

Sanctification

 

Definition of Sanctification: It is the work of the Holy Spirit, whereby He makes the Christian more like Jesus Christ- in every way- in thought, word, action and attitude.

This work of the Holy Spirit is progressive, not instantaneous. That is to say that the new believer in Christ does not immediately become like Christ in every way. It takes time, it is process. It requires yielding, submitting to the Holy Spirit, putting off the old things (sin) and putting on the new (righteousness). (II Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:22; Romans 12:1-2; Colossians 3:9-10)

I. Our Goal: Christlikeness

A. Paul’s prayer for Thessalonian believers- I Thessalonians 5:23- “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly, and I pray your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

B. To the Corinthian believers at the Church of Corinth, Paul listed many of the sins that they had previously engaged in (I Corinthians 6:9-10) and then goes on to say, “And such were some of you: but you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”

C. In Sanctification, it is God that does the work, but we have a cooperating part

II. Our Cooperation in the Work of Sanctification

A. Submission to God’s word and the Holy Spirit, which leads to obedience. I Peter 2:21- “For even hereunto were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow His steps. Read also vvs. 22-24.

B. Sanctification requires humility- James 4:6- God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

C. It involves resisting our sinful flesh and our foe- the devil, Satan- James 4:7. “Submit yourselves therefore to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you I Peter 5:8- “Be sober, be vigilant (watchful), because your adversary the devil as a roaring lion, walks about seeking whom he may devour.”

D. We are to walk in the Spirit- Galatians 5:16- “…walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”

E. We also need the Holy Spirit’s filling- Ephesians 5:18- “And be not drunk with wine, but be filled with the Spirit.”

III. Our Consecration- Romans 12:1,2

A. Present our bodies as a living sacrifice (daily).

B. Crucify the flesh (daily) – This is a daily battle- Galatians 5:24- “And they that be Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections (desires) and lusts.”

C. Keep your body in subjection- I Corinthians 9:27- The example- Apostle Paul The flesh wants to rise up and rule.

 

July 5, 2025

Jeff MacDougall

Unity

 

Paul used a metaphor to describe the individuals who make up the church as body parts, each with different purposes, but all coming together to create a body with a unified purpose. Different parts with different functions, all guided by a common mission. It’s a good metaphor. Only when the individual parts of the body work together can the body perform a task. Imagine if your stomach wants a meal, but your legs are unwilling to get your body up. They simply won’t carry you to the kitchen. Or if your hands aren’t willing to hold the fork to lift the food up. Your mouth unwilling to chew. We would call this a dysfunction. The same is true when the church body is not working together, when we are divided and disunified. We still get around, we still exist, but we are not able to effectively accomplish our mission when parts of the body are operating outside of the unity of the whole.    

Jesus gave His church a mission: to go and make disciples of the nations, baptizing them and teaching them. And He prayed for this for us. Did you know that Jesus actually prayed to the Father for you, during his earthly ministry? John’s gospel portrays the event, and gives us Jesus’ words. John gives us 5 chapters of detail of what we call the Last Supper, which concludes with a prayer. Jesus prayed first for himself, then for his disciples, and then for all of his believers, saying “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message.” He was praying for us.

Let’s read a part of this prayer together. John chapter 17, verses 20 to 23.

20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.”

In one of his final acts before being arrested and crucified, Jesus prays for our unity, because he knows we are a people who are disposed to division. To distrust. To look at people different from ourselves and see an enemy rather than the image of God. To listen to people who think differently than us and shut them out of our social circles. And what has the church done over the past two millennia? Divided. Fractured. Arguing over things that are not the core of Jesus’ ministry.

Twice in my life I’ve had to resort to the phone book, or the internet, to find a church after a move. Can you guess what I found? Dozens of options. Methodist. Presbyterian. Catholic. Baptist. Lutheran. Evangelical. The list goes on. We divide. And the culture sees people who can’t even agree on what they believe. With every new cultural wave of change, we find reasons to fracture even more. So tonight, this is what we’re here to talk about. Unity. Specifically, the unity of the church. The Bible has things to say about other aspects of unity, such as between spouses, but I don’t want you to take something I am saying tonight and read in a situation in beyond the scope of our discussion. We’re talking about the unity of believers within the body of Christ.

Unity as a Spiritual Discipline

That prayer that John recorded for us gives some insight into Jesus’s understanding of where we would need help. Jesus prayed for unity because he knew his followers would be least effective when disunified. Just like Paul’s illustration of the body. If the legs don’t work, the feet can’t go out. If the arms don’t work, the hands can’t lift up. If the voice doesn’t work, the mouth can’t proclaim. Let’s be clear: unity does NOT mean uniformity. We see almost immediately this is not the case. God’s people were always meant to represent the nations. All tribes and tongues. Unity also does NOT mean absence of conflict. Just read the book of Acts, or Paul’s letters. We can see numerous examples of an appropriate response to conflict, that resolves conflict while putting a high emphasis on unity.

Unity is not easy. Unity hurts sometimes. This is a spiritual discipline. Something we do because we are called to do it, not because it is easy or fun. Think about other spiritual disciplines. Reading scripture, prayer, fasting, giving. Are any of these “convenient”? Are any of them easy? But you’re probably already doing at least some of them. We show our love for God by loving our neighbor, even when it’s inconvenient. Even when it burdens us. We give up ourself, our own desires, to build the body of believers and to draw non-believers to the Lord. Here’s the big difference between unity and other disciplines. Other things cost us time, resources; unity costs us pride. When we put ourselves in a position that elevates another person at our own expense, we are practicing a spiritual discipline. Lowering ourself in order to elevate others. Sometimes even sacrificing being right, because unity is more important. “And the first shall be last, and the last shall be first.” The Lord sees you. He sees your sacrifice.

Humans created for Unity with God

We are going to look at three ways unity is shown in scripture to be something that God’s people are to pursue. A created purpose for unity with God. A called purpose to draw the nations into unity with God. And a cultivated purpose to practice unity within the body of believers (the church).

The storyline of Genesis establishes a purpose for humanity on page 1.

28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” – Gen 1:28

From the very beginning we see that the creator of the universe desires to share His authority. And not with the Elohim. Not with our predecessors in the creation narrative, plants or animals, birds or fish. No, with the lastborn of creation: mankind. He creates an equal partner for the man, one who rescues his from his inability to fulfill his purpose. Man and woman made for unity. One became two, in order to become one again, so that they may multiply. He creates humanity to rule over creation: to subdue and have dominion. With God as our King, our mentor, the one who will give us wisdom to recognize what is good and what is not good. But we reach out, and take that upon ourselves. Choosing to decide for ourselves what is good and not good, and severing the unity we could have had with God. And now a plot conflict is established. How can we repair this schism? How can we restore this unity? God has a plan.

God’s people called to bring the nations into unity with God

In Genesis 12 we see God choose a family who will represent Him to the nations, making them a distinct people who will shine like a light in darkness, drawing people to Him.

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” – Gen 12:1-3

Have you ever noticed that clause in verse 2 before? “…so that you will be a blessing”. A blessing to who? Verse 3 answers it. God has called Abram to be a blessing to the nations. We see in the story of the Old Testament and in the interpretation Jesus gives us in the gospels, that the whole point of a chosen people was to bring the nations back into unity with God. God’s people were never meant to be one ethnicity. One bloodline. One language. God created mankind in His image. All of mankind. The Levitical law was to be a distinguishing characteristic that made God’s people separate, distinct, from the surrounding nations, in order to draw them back to Him. It was their holiness that was to repair the relationship, so that non-Israelites could be a part of the family of believers, and turn from the worship of the Elohim to the worship of Yahweh.

When we reach the time of Jesus’s ministry, we see the plan unfolding. Jesus is coming first to the family of Abraham, in order to send them out into the families of the earth to fold them into the family of God’s people.

Jesus’s prayer grounds our unity within the church in the nature of the trinity. It does not erase the distinctiveness of where we have all come from, but harmonizes our diversity in perfect love. Look at verse 21: “that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” This is the Abrahamic covenant made new. Israelite and Roman society were both highly stratified. Based on a social caste system in which layers did not mingle. Jews and Gentiles did not mingle, did not share food, eat together, study together. Men and women did not learn together. Slaves certainly did not eat at the same table as free people! Yet Jesus called us to unity in Himself. In Acts and the epistles, we see examples of the breakdown of social barriers, of unity in Christ. And this had an effect. It’s weirdness in that culture, its distinctiveness, was noticed. “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” God’s people were being a blessing to the nations.

Jesus’s followers cultivated for unity within the body

As the church grew, and non-Israelites were folded into the body of followers of Jesus, conflicts arose. Greek widows being overlooked. Jews teaching that Gentiles need to be circumcised. The “strong and weak” of the Roman church. What foods can be eaten? Sexual immorality. Lawsuits among believers. The rich eating the communion meal before the poor even arrive. Many examples of disunity arising from conflict. And we have some amazing teachings because of it.

Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus:

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to you all— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” – Ephesians 4:1-6

Do you see all of the unity language in this passage? Paul has a theological mindset that sees unity as a major theme in his scriptures, which inform his writings to the churches he established and mentored. Go back and read 1 Corinthians, Ephesians, Romans with an eye toward unity and see how close this is to Paul’s heart. This doesn’t mean there are no Biblical reasons to divide, the New Testament shows numerous examples of good reasons for division. Affirming Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah, the Son of God. Affirming the inerrancy of scripture. If a person within the church cannot do these things, we have steps to take to correct the error, and to divide if the individual refuses. But never do we see the apostles dividing over how we do baptism, or how we do communion, or what kind of music we play during our weekly meeting time, and certainly not about where our ancestors came from, or what color our skin is, what kind of food we grew up eating, or even what political party we believe has the best solutions to our culture’s issues. They come together, discuss their differences, and are willing to accept rebuke. See Acts 15 for an example of this.

The teaching of Jesus and of his followers place a high value on the unity of the body of believers. Our unity was important to them. They understood that unity makes us effective, and conversely: disunity destroys our ministry. This is why Jesus prayed for this for us. Satan attacks us here. He targets our unity. He seeks ways to divide us. We are ineffective in spreading the gospel when all the world sees is our division, our disagreement, our infighting.

Application

Unity is a discipline, something I do because our scriptures tell us God desires this of us. So I practice this discipline, to the benefit of others, and at the expense of my own time and my own thoughts. You will find yourself in situations where you are in the right, where you have the moral high ground, the legal backing, sometimes the right thing to do is to lay aside your claim and seek unity. To prioritize the relationship, to prioritize peace, to prioritize mercy, to practice the hard spiritual discipline of unity in order to restore relationship betwee

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